Arnos Vale, St. Vincent – August 18, 2017 – An imperious unbeaten century by captain O’jay Mathews helped North Leeward to an easy 80 run win over Kingstown, while brilliant batting by Handel Roban and impressive bowling by Kemani Husband pushed Central Windward to 97 run win over Marriaqua on another day of spell-binding cricket in the SVGCA Zonal U15 competition on Thursday.
Mathews whose talent first broached the horizon two years ago, on Thursday underlined that promise with what reports say was a commanding batting display at the Petite Bordel Playing Field.
Opening the inning after his team had won the toss, the little left-hander stood at one end to see his opening partner depart for nought with the total on two and looked on as it became 43/4 by the 10th over.
Mathews then found a useful partner in Reshawn Williams (46) with whom he added 97 for the fifth wicket before the latter went at 140/5.
The captain who was finding run-scoring a lot easier than his team mates continued serenely along and was joined by Kirtney Franklyn (22) in adding a further 73 for the sixth wicket.
When the overs ran out Mathews (120*) had collected more than half of his team’s 220/6. He struck ten fours and seven sixes off the 102 balls he faced. Trevian Mathews had 2/62 while Kingstown’s captain Luke Wilson took 1/26 from his eight overs with two maidens from his legspin and Newton Browne 1/38.
Kingstown needing to score at five and a half an over found the task a bit too much and were dismissed for 140 in 28 overs, with Newton Browne 39, Jarrel Edwards 22, Luke Wilson and Clyvert Browne 16 being the best of the batters.
Mathews (3/28) capped a good match, with Kirtney Franklyn 2/19 and Shaeem Samuel 2/38 doing their part.
The Park Hill Playing Field served up two outstanding performances where Central Windward defeated Marriaqua by 97 runs to chalk up their third straight victory.
Batting first Central Windward were indebted to Roban (77*) who batted from the second ball of the innings to the end of the adjusted 27th over after rain had affected the start of play.
He saw the two openers both going for ducks and the two batsmen who came immediately after him also going without scoring, as the score slipped to 11/4 in the second over. It was soon 24/5 and it was at this point that Roban found a willing partner in Kody Grant (2) and the pair added 54 in 11 overs. Grant batted for 26 balls and 72 minutes as he kept vigil while Roban attacked the bowling. When the innings finally came to a close Roban had struck eight fours and one six off the 85 balls he faced.
Akeem Alexander took 4/22 and Jesse Browne 2/49 and Omarion Ottley 1/22 bowling for Marriaqua.
Marriaqua faced with a challenging target in tricky conditions were in early trouble and 15/7 by the 9th over. The end was prolonged and it came in the 21stover when they were dismissed for 43- Kemani Husband 6/8 and Devante McDowall 2/10 sealing the win with the ball.
On Friday South Windward /St. George will take on North Windward at the Sion Hill Playing Field in the lone match weather-permitting.
Prepared by:
E. Glenford Prescott
