By Samuel Peters
On Sunday, the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association 40 Overs Competition delivered an exciting day of cricket with last year’s runner-up, New Winthorpes Lions edging Jennings Tigers by four wickets at home. There were comprehensive victories for Pigotts Crushers and Bolans Blasters while the match between Bethesda Golden Eagles and Rising Sun Spartans was abandoned.
Quite possibly the featured match of the day saw Lions secure a four-wicket triumph over Jennings Tigers at New Winthorpes. The visitors batted first and posted 140 in 36.5 overs, with Paul Miller stroking a top score of 38 from 65 balls as he received support from Jahiem Africa and Malique Jacobs 22. For the second match in a row, Demari Benta was outstanding with the ball picking up four for 21 to follow up his bowling performance, 24 hours earlier, of five for 24 against Empire Nation. He was well supported by Ian Eusebe, Chad Hampson and Orandel Boston who all snagged two wickets apiece.
In reply, CMW New Winthorpes Lions successfully chased down the target, reaching 142 for six in 32 overs to win by four wickets. Cameron Pennyfeather top-scored with a quickfire 38 from 23 balls; veteran Greg Skepple saw his team home with an unbeaten 32. National Under-19 Captain Matthew Miller picked up two for 21 while Glenton Williams had two for 43.
The most one-sided contest of the day saw Pigotts Crushers deliver a commanding performance against All Saints Pythons, winning by a massive 103 runs. The Crushers posted an imposing 207 for six in their 40 overs, setting up what would prove to be an insurmountable target.
Leeward Islands opening batsman, Kadeem Henry was the star of the show with a painstaking half century, scoring 82 runs from 106 balls with contributions of 28, 25 and 24 coming from the bats of Uri Smith, Jewel Andrew and Amahl Nathaniel respectively. Shaquan Reifer was the pick of the Pythons bowlers with three for 36.
But when the Pythons’ turn at the crease came, one man, Dion Samuel, stood opposed to their progress. He collected four for 20 scalps sharing the new ball with Tyree Moore (2/24). There were also two-wicket hauls by Jalen Harris (2/29) and Miandre James (2/24). Only the number eight batsman, Conroy Semple added some respite to the innings with 31, as it gradually folded with 16 overs to go in the loss by 103 runs.
Bolans Blasters defeated Tertiary Institutions & Schools in a convincing manner with 96-run victory. The Blasters posted a formidable 183 in 38 overs, with fast bowler Javaughn James rescuing his side from 98 for six, to add 51 to register his first half-century in ABCA competitions. All-rounder Hughan ‘Muscle’ Tongue stroked a rewarding 41 from 71 balls to hold the innings together in the initial stages of the innings. Under-19 fast bowler Tazio Watson was too much to handle, as he snapped up 4 for 23 with the support of his brother Tarun and Hosea Roberts who both took two wickets apiece.
However, when their turn came to bat, the school side struggled with the pace of James (2/14) and skipper Taiem Tonge (2/9) who blew through the top order leaving them reeling at 16 for four in 5.2 overs. Compared to his teammates, Yohance Marcellin seemed to be batting on a different pitch as he stroked 35. But the highlight of the bowling effort belonged to Mervin Higgins who picked up four for 10 including a hattrick to skittle TIS out for 87.
The match at Rising Sun between the Spartans and Golden Eagles was abandoned after rain ended play. The home side were dismissed for 90 for eight, with Cleve Cornelius collecting four 15. Jahiem Norde top-scored with 38 while Royal Richards added 17. When the visitors batted, they were 51 for three before rain interrupted play.
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