Lions Make – By Samuel Peters
Lions Make Three Row
Defending champions New Winthorpes Lions made it three wins in a row with a commanding 261-run victory over Tertiary Institutes and Schools in Round 3 of the ABCA Super 40 Competition on Sunday. Elsewhere, Liberta Blackhawks, Empire Nation, Bolans Blasters, and All Saints Pythons also secured important wins.
Batting first, the Lions piled up an imposing 333 for 9 from their 40 overs. Demari Benta led the charge with a solid 86, while Tyrone Williams Jr contributed 85 and Ishmael Peters added 32. For the visitors, captain Kaivalya Mishra was the standout bowler with figures of 4 for 46. In response, Schools were dismantled for just 72 for 9 in 14 overs, with Ishmael Peters returning to grab 4 for 25 and Ian Eusebe supporting with 3 for 31.
At Keithley Sheppard Park, Empire Nation successfully defended a modest total of 182 after being bowled out in 25 overs. George Elvin (45) and Tanez Francis (39) provided the backbone of the innings, while Ronneil Jeffrey (5 for 19) and Tyree Moore (2 for 34) did early damage with the ball. Chasing 183, the visitors looked comfortable at 81 for 1 after nine overs before leg-spinner Micah McKenzie turned the game on its head. After conceding 15 runs in his first over, McKenzie struck back dramatically, removing key batsmen Essan Warner and Kerry Skepple in quick succession. From there, he spun a web around the batting lineup, finishing with a remarkable 6 for 29 to seal a 23-run victory.
Liberta Blackhawks marked their first match of the competition with an emphatic eight-wicket win over Rising Sun Spartans. The Spartans posted 211 for 6, led by Royal Richards (87), Kerry Mentore (41), and Brandon JnBaptiste (34), while Chamiqueko Landerfort picked up 2 for 25. In reply, the Blackhawks made light work of the chase, reaching the target with nine overs remaining thanks to a composed 90 from Michael Greaves, supported by Elroy Francis Jr.
At Pigotts, Bolans Blasters registered their first win in a high-scoring clash against Bethesda, triumphing by 41 runs. Orlando Peters anchored the innings with a well-crafted 86, while Nazair Williams (33) and Taiem Tonge (31) chipped in as Bolans posted 258 all out. Shacoy Floyd (4 for 37) and Keno Goodwin (3 for 51) were the pick of the bowlers for Bethesda. In response, Dwaine Fordyce (4 for 32) and Orlando Peters (2 for 14) kept things tight as Bethesda were restricted to 218. Kevin Pitman scored 51 and Anthony Martin remained unbeaten on 48, but their efforts fell short.
Meanwhile, All Saints Pythons edged Jennings Tigers by 23 runs in a competitive encounter. Batting first, the Pythons were dismissed for 174 in 36.2 overs, with Michael Dover top-scoring with 44 and Isaiah Harris contributing an unbeaten 30. Hughan “Muscle” Tonge was outstanding with the ball for the Tigers, claiming 4 for 9, while Nicholas Tappin and Zavier Freeland took two wickets each. Jennings appeared in control at 82 for 3 after 13 overs, but tight bowling from Kadeem Josiah, Justin Robinson, and Kenrick Scott restricted their scoring and triggered a collapse, as they were bowled out for 151.
