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By Samuel Peters
Antigua & Barbuda and St. Kitts remained unbeaten in the Leeward Islands Senior Mens Mixed Tournament after three rounds of competitive cricket. On Monday, the Master Blasters secured their third consecutive victory by way of a 56-run win over Anguilla at Warner Park Stadium.
After Anguilla won the toss and elected to field, the Blasters posted 217 all out in 45.1 overs. Tyrone Williams Jr top-scored with a patient 68 off 79 balls, striking seven fours and three sixes in his innings which provided the backbone for his side.
Elroy Francis Jr contributed 50 off 68 balls, smashing five fours and one six at a strike rate of 73.53, while Kofi James added a brisk 27 off 18 balls to boost the scoring rate with debutant Michael Greaves added 23.
Anguilla’s bowling attack was led by Mark Gokarran, who claimed an impressive four for 45 in his 10 overs, removing key batsmen James, Williams Jr, Jewel Andrew, and Karima Gore. Chamiqueko Landerfort also bowled well, taking three for 42 in 9.1 overs, along with Jaidel Richardson who chipped in with two for 26 in five overs.
Chasing 218 for victory, Anguilla struggled throughout their innings and were eventually bowled out for 161 in 40.5 overs. Wicketkeeper Deon Burton offered the most resistance with 62 off 115 balls, but his innings lacked support from the other end. Dimitri Adams contributed 36 off 45 balls.
Antigua & Barbuda’s bowling attack was clinical, with Micah McKenzie leading the way with impressive figures of 4 for 43 in eight overs to follow up his seven wicket haul just a day before while Rahkeem Cornwall supported well with two for 28 in eight overs.
Gore (1 for 23), James (1 for 16), Kelvin Pitman (1 for 26), and Ishmael Peters (1 for 13) each claimed a wicket as the bowling duties was shared effectively to seal a victory as they continue their strong campaign in the Leeward Islands Senior Men’s tournament. They will meet Montserrat on Wednesday in their first two day match of the tournament.
Other matches saw St Kitts Senior Men take a 78-run victory over neighbours Nevis after posting a massive 342 for four in their 50 overs. Mikyle Louis dominated with a stunning 170 off 153 balls, striking 11 fours and 11 sixes, to bring up his third consecutive ton of the tournament while captain Terence Warde remained unbeaten on 111 off 103 balls
Nevis fought hard in their chase, reaching 264 in 46.3 overs. Shelton Forbes top-scored with 68 off 89 balls, while Colin Archibald (36), Carlton Pluck (31), and Tijhari Clarke (25) all contributed. However, the target proved too steep as Larry Audain claimed three for 43 and Kunal Tilokani took two for 62 to secure victory for St Kitts.
The day’s most dramatic encounter, St Maarten Senior Men held their nerve to defeat Montserrat Senior Men by one wicket (four wickets by DL Method) in a nail-biting finish at St. Paul. Chasing 124 for victory, St Maarten reached their target in 30.3 overs with just one wicket remaining as Nathan Edward was the hero with the bat, scoring 62 off 75 balls to anchor the chase. However, Montserrat’s Hayden Walsh Jr produced a magnificent bowling spell, claiming an incredible seven for 47 from his full quota of overs to nearly pull off a miraculous victory. Walsh Jr ripped through the St Maarten batting order, but it was Nathan’s 15 year old brother Jathan’s unbeaten 12 who saw St Maarten across the line.
Earlier, Montserrat had been dismissed for 123 in 36.2 overs as Shernyl Burns top-scored with 27, Jemuel Cabey contributed 26 and Zawandi Whyte added 22. Daniel Doram led St Maarten’s bowling with 3 for 18 in eight overs, while Nathan Edward took 2 for 11.
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