By Neto Baptiste
TG Welding were the biggest winners in the Cool & Smooth-sponsored Mandy Premier League (MPL) Sherma Jackson Business League softball cricket competition over the weekend, beating the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) by nine wickets at the Powells playing field.
Batting first, Defence Force were restricted to just 49 for seven in their 10 overs. Almajie Webster was the chief runs-getter for the army men, making 41 of the team’s 49 runs. He struck four sixes in the process.
Deran Benta led the bowling for the victors, claiming three wickets for 12 runs in two overs while Essan Warner snatched two for six in two over.
When their turn at the crease arrived, TG Welding reached their target at 52 for one from just 6.5 overs. Demari Benta hit a top score of 24 not out with Warner adding 23 not out. Warner was adjudged male player of the game with Ann Anthony the female player of the game.
The win carries TG Welding to 40 points at the top of the standings, 10 points clear of second placed Board of Education.
Also on the weekend, Hanse on Security beat PEL Boys by 23 runs.
Batting first, Hanse on Security amassed 93 for six in their allotted 10 overs. Melvin Charles top-scored with 24 while there were scores of 15 and 14 from Adrian Abbott and Kerry Mentore respectively. Samuel Joshua was the pick of the bowlers for PEL Boys, claiming three wickets for 16 runs in his two overs.
PEL Boys then fell short in their chase, getting to 70 for five before their 10 overs elapsed. Frederick Floyd top scored with 25 and Clarence Francis added 14 to the effort. Charles, who as adjudged male player of the game, picked up two wickets for five runs. Kimberly Anthony was the female player of the game.
Hanse on Security are third in the standings with 30 points while PEL Boys are third from bottom in the eight-team standings with 10 points.
Meanwhile, Grill Box handed ABDF their second loss of the night in the form of a 31 runs defeat.
Grill Box reached 115 for five in their 10 overs with Mervin Higgins hitting 36. Kimani George added 26 and D’Andre Harris 19. Shaquelle Richards claimed three for 25 bowling for the opponents. Defence Force were then restricted to 84 for four in their 10 overs; Sawandi Ambrose top-scored with 38 not out.
Kimani George was the male player of the game while Menova Govia won the female accolade.
In the other match contested, Board of Education (BoE) defeated Polish Concrete Floors & Countertops (PCF&C) by nine runs. Kadeem Henry posted a half century at 53 not out to lead BoE to 103 without loss in their 10 overs. Isiah Vivile chipped in with 22 not out while Rayn John made 17 before retiring hurt.
PCF&C were then restricted to 94 for five in 10 overs. Steve Martin top-scored with 24 in the losing effort. Henry followed up his half century performance by claiming one wicket for four runs in two overs.
Time of Victory forfeited to PEL Boys.
