20/Twenty cricket off to a striking start

The Neil Williams 20/Twenty cricket competition began last Sunday, one day following the interment of the person after whom the competition was named.

Twelve matches were scheduled.

At Sion Hill, MVC Rivals made light work of the host. Sion Hill batted and was shot out for 41, with Nigel Strough bagging 4 for 11, to which Rivals responded with 42 for 1 in just three overs.{{more}}

Also recording victory at the same venue was Police One over Vincom Numbgerz. The law officers made 153 for 9, as Gerald Gould hit 38, and Roxell John took 3 for 28. Replying Numbgerz was bowled out for 132. Darren Russell scored 34. Renford Jack took 3 for 23 and was Police’s most successful bowler.

At Brighton, relegated Irie Travel Packers beat Premier Division ECGC Radcliffe by a mere three runs. Led by former St. Vincent and the Grenadines opener Bill Edwards’ 61, Packers posted 118 for 7 in their 20 overs.Radcliffe ended on 115 for 9.Drumo Toney made 36 in a losing cause.

In what was deemed an upset, Unique Warriors beat Franco Construction St. David by 54 runs.

Warriors struck 192 for 7. Christopher Campbell fell short of triple figures scoring 99, to which St. David replied with 128.Orlando Charles hit 40, with Andre Hunte being the most successful bowler for the Warriors taking 3 for 21.

It was also an easy win for Victors One over HMP Stars. Victors One amassed 215 for 5, helped mainly by 96 from Bertram Stapleton.HMP Stars reached 157 for 7.

In another high scoring match at Arnos Vale Two, Belmont scored 235 for 3 against Brownstown. Lex Bute continuing his form from the recent schools’ competition hit an even 50, and was supported by Agustus Mofford’s 40. Brownstown stopped at 136, with Antus Wright making 34, and Michael Jack took 4 for 15 for the victors.

Former St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Windwards and West Indies A team opening batsman Dawnley Joseph stuck 77, along with a healthy contribution of 43 from Nixon Mc Lean, Spartans notched up 173 for 9. Jeffrey Abraham had figures of 3 for 21 bowling for Victors Two. At their turn at the crease, Victors were restricted to 76 for 5, as Chrisna Da Silva returned figures of 3 for 15.

It was a similar situation when Police Two faced Radcliffe Two. Police compiled 156 for 9.Victors replied with 73, undone by the bowling of Elmore Alexander who got his second five wickets in two weeks. He followed up on his bag of wickets the previous weekend to take 5 for 13.

The other fixtured match was to have featured Eat Rite Saints and Log Masters, but Saints failed to show up.

The competition a fore runner to select this country’s team to the lucrative Stanford 20/20 tournament in July and August, involves the thirteen teams from the Premier and First Divisions, stashed in two groups, in the round robin format of the preliminary stage. The top two qualifiers from the two groups will play in the semi finals.

The competition makes way this weekend for the final of the RBTT Premier Division between MVC Rivals and Police Two.

The 20/20 action gets going again April 22 and 23.