Rain ruins NLA Softball

Organisers of the National Lotteries Top Belair Softball Cricket Competition will have to wait another week before all the quarter finalists are known, after two of the scheduled matches were rained out last weekend.{{more}}

But there was enough sunshine to darken the day for CGM Novice, the 2007 Knock Out champion, which was in search of the double.

Adding to that gloom was Street Fighters, who nailed the star studded Novice by five wickets in a tense last over triumph.

Needing 117 to win, and a place in the quarter finals, Street Fighters achieved this from the penultimate ball of the 20th over.

Leading their victory charge was Delroy Johnson, who made 46, with Osni Billingy chipping in with 24.

Novice had earlier set this target when they made 116 off 19.4 overs. Roderick John topscored with 36, as Shawn Frank 3, for 27, Westwick Straugh, 2 for 13, and Austin Mc Dowald, 2 for 18, blunted the potent Novice batting force.

Also advancing to the next round was Owia Shottaz. The men from North Windward posted 99 for 9 off a reduced quota of 15 overs. Othneil Baptiste made 23 and Jamal Lewis, 15. Marlon Williams had the amazing figures of 5 for 6 and Everton Durrant, 2 for 23.

When Vipers batted , they were dismissed for 65 in 13.3 overs. Angel Holder was their topscorer with 16, as Leon Lorraine, 4 for 14, and Arie Henry, 3 for 8, ensured that Owia got a shot at the league prize.

Joining them was Gomea Bombers, who shut out Kingstown Hill United. Gomea Bombers was all out for 97. Ovando O’Brien topped their batting with 26. Raffique Williams, 4 for 20, and Brian Davis, 3 for 14, were the top bowlers for Kingstown Hill. But their batsmen did not equal their efforts and fell for 48. Kendall Payne, 3 for 3, and Ellsworth Abbott, 3 for 18, crafted Gomea Bombers win with the ball.

The other two scheduled matches which were to involve Cool Guys versus Nex Level and Simple Boys against ASCO were rained out.

With this interruption, the competition is set to finish December 16, with the final and Presentation Ceremony. (RT)