The All Saints Pythons and New Winthorpes Lions recorded comprehensive victories while Empire Nation and Bolans Blasters claimed valuable first-innings wins in the latest round of the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association Two-Day Competition.
The All Saints Pythons defeated Tertiary Institutions & Schools by an innings and seven runs thanks to the 10-wicket haul heroics of Justin Robinson and West Indies ace quick Alzarri Joseph who dictated the outcome of the encounter.
Batting first, Tertiary Institutions & Schools posted 117 all out in 38.1 overs, with captain Kaivalya Mishra top-scoring with a patient 45 and JQuan Athanaze had 29 runs. The Pythons’ bowling attack proved highly effective, with left arm spinner Robinson leading the way with an exceptional seven-wicket haul.
In response, Pythons posted 153 all out in 40 overs, establishing a crucial 36-run first-innings lead. Demetri Lucas led the batting effort with a well-constructed 42 from 56 balls, featuring eight boundaries. Alzarri Joseph provided the fireworks with a quickfire 32 from just 21 deliveries, including one boundary and three sixes. Athanaze fought back for Tertiary Institutions with five wickets, while Mishra and Isaiah Attwood secured two wickets each.
Tertiary Institutions & Schools then crumbled under the pressure in their second innings, managing just 29 for 9 in 21.3 overs when the match concluded. Joseph claimed five wickets while conceding just 17 runs with Robinson adding three more wickets to his first innings haul to complete a comprehensive victory for All Saints.
In their first match at home this season, New Winthorpes Lions secured a convincing victory over WES Rising Sun Spartans winning by an innings and 14 runs , as Nino Henry ran amok of their batting lineup .
The Lions’ bowling attack made an immediate impact after putting the Spartans in to bat, dismissing them for just 75 runs in 16.3 overs. Barbados Ryshon Williams offered brief resistance with a quickfire 24 off just 15 balls, including four boundaries and one six, while Hilroy Andrew stroked 13. Former Leeward Islands quick Chad Hampson spearheaded the Lions’ bowling effort with four wickets, while Henry provided excellent support with three dismissals.
New Winthorpes Lions responded emphatically with the bat, posting 175 all out in 34.5 overs to establish a commanding 100-run first-innings lead. In-form wicketkeeper batter and Captain Bartlette Henry led from the front with a magnificent 65 from 54 deliveries, featuring eight boundaries and three sixes as Asher Murray Cornelius contributed a valuable 46 runs. Bowling for the Spartans, Williams and Chad Walsh claimed four wickets apiece in a determined bowling display.
The Spartans were at one point four wickets down for four runs in their second turn at the crease before being 86 all out in 29.4 overs. Captain Kerry Mentore stood tall amid the ruins with a fighting 70 off 83 balls, including eight boundaries and three sixes, but received minimal support from his teammates as Klasskey Athill and Andre Edwards managed just four runs each. Henry returned for the Lions, claiming an impressive seven wickets to seal the outright victory, while Orandel Boston took two wickets to complete the job.
Playing away at Ball Beef, Empire Nation secured a valuable first-innings advantage over defending champions PIC Liberta Blackhawks in their keenly contested match that featured strong performances from both sides.
Batting first, Empire Nation compiled a solid 160 all out in 42.3 overs, anchored by captain Kenrick Scott’s dominant 40, Kershaski Jno Lewis 31 runs, while Tyrone Williams Jr contributed 28 at the top of the order. The Blackhawks’ bowling attack was led by the experienced duo of Kofi James and Karima Gore, who claimed three wickets each, while Kadeem Phillip added two.
In response, PIC Liberta Blackhawks fell short at 119 all out in 28.1 overs, trailing by 41 runs in the first innings. Gore top-scored with 37 from 46 balls, featuring four boundaries and one six, while Spencer added a valuable 28 runs. Damian Lowenfield led the way with four wickets, while Yanique Watley claimed three for the visiting side.
Building on their first-innings advantage, Empire Nation reached 38 for 1 in their second innings when the match concluded due to play being abandoned on the second day due to rain.
Captain Orlando Peters scored his second consecutive unbeaten century to power Bolans Blasters to its second consecutive first-innings victory over CUB Bethesda Golden Eagles in their encounter.
The Blasters amassed an imposing 286 all out in 64.3 overs, with Peters showcasing his class with an outstanding 106 not out from 114 deliveries. The captain’s mature innings featured 13 boundaries and two sixes. Peters received excellent support from Gershum Phillip, who contributed 56 runs from 77 balls with nine boundaries, while Tajeja Tongeadded 33 and Richie Thomas provided late-innings fireworks with a brisk 43 from just 34 deliveries, including two fours and three sixes. The Golden Eagles’ bowling attack struggled to contain the Blasters’ batting lineup, but Oshale Simon emerged as the most successful bowler with six wickets.
In response, CUB Bethesda Golden Eagles were dismissed for 147 in 44.2 overs, falling 139 runs short of the Blasters’ first-innings total. Captain Gavin Tonge led by example with a fighting 64 from 66 balls, including eight boundaries and one six at a strike rate of 96.97. Tayari Tonge added 26 runs, while Mekali Tonge contributed 22 to the Eagles’ cause. Offspinner Dwayne Fordyce claimed four wickets with Taiem Tonge taking three.
Following on, the Golden Eagles showed improved resistance in their second innings, reaching 116 for 8 in 45 overs when the match concluded. Simon led the way with a patient unbeaten 26 from 88 deliveries, while Tayari Tonge contributed 24 and James Cornelius remained not out on 11. Thomas was the pick of the Blasters’ bowlers in the second innings, claiming four wickets before play was called off.
Pigotts Crushers will be left to rue what might have been after persistent rain washed out the second day of their fixture against Jennings Tigers, forcing the match to end in a draw. The Crushers had established a commanding position on day one, posting an imposing 235 all out in their first innings across 53 overs. Captain Uri Smith led from the front with a magnificent 74 from 91 deliveries, featuring seven boundaries and three sixes. Substantial contributions from Demari Prince (45), Kadeem Henry (37), and Brandon Jn Baptiste (31) helped build the Crushers’ total. The Tigers’ bowling attack was led by Bassanio Joseph, who claimed four wickets, while Zavier Freeland added three to his season’s tally.
In reply, Jennings Tigers struggled against a disciplined Crushers bowling attack, reaching 97 for 8 in 19 overs when bad light stopped play on the first day. Nicolas Tappin provided the only significant resistance with an aggressive 39 from 36 balls, while Leeward Islands Onaje Amory and Henry proved particularly effective with the ball, claiming three wickets each for the Crushers.
With a deficit of 138 runs and just two wickets remaining, the Tigers were facing the prospect of an outright defeat before persistent rain on the second day forced the match to be abandoned, allowing them to escape with just four points.
