NAGICO-LICA Cricket One Day Tournament
Anguilla Gets Past St Maarten in Exciting Finish.
By Rawle Nelson
In Photo seated left to right: NAGICO's Marketing Manager, Jasmine Payne; NAGICO's Managing Director, Mr. Eric Ellis; President of LICA, Mr. Gregory Shillingford and President of the St. Kitts Cricket Association, Mr. Ingleton Liburd.
In a close and exciting contest, Anguilla scored a hard fought two wickets victory over St Maarten in the Leeward Island NAGICO sponsored One Day competition. In the match played at the Valley Cricket Ground, Anguilla hit the winning runs with one legal delivery to spare scoring 216 for 8 in 49.5 overs
In the first match of round one in the seven rounds competition, St Maarten was sent in by Anguilla who choose to bowl after winning the toss St Maarten scored 213 all out in 46.5 overs.
St Maarten's total which proved a bit challenging for Anguilla was spearheaded by wicketkeeper Royston Trocand who top scored with 46 runs which included one four and one six and faced 73 balls. The total was also assisted by a healthy 45 extras which included four no balls, 33 wides and two byes.
St Maarten while boosting former Windward Island batsman John Eugene failed to post a challenging total. John made 15 before he was senselessly run out for 15, the only other batsmen to offer any resistance were Sheldon Le Blanc, George Mars and Morland Le Blanc as they contributed 20, 25 and 20 runs respectively while the others gave their wickets away cheaply. Keston Dornick also threw his wicket away when he like Eugene was run out.
Bowling for Anguilla, Captain Chaka Hodge picked up the first five wicket haul of this year's competition with his spin bowling. He had figures of 5 for 45 in 9.5 overs with no maiden. He was well supported by Yannick Leonard who chipped win with two wickets from 10 overs for 27 runs.
However, Anguilla's winning total was centered around a fiery half century made by its captain Chaka Hodge who made 68 runs. Hodge faced 80 balls and hit six fours and two sixes in a 95 minutes inning. He also shared in an opening 75-run stand with Lydel Richardson, who contributed 44.
Despite Richardson's dismissal, Hodge was joined by his brother Montain Hodge and the two saw Anguilla to 131 before Chaka departed in the 29th over.
Things slowed down a bit as three quick wickets fell leaving the match evenly poised for an exciting finish. Terrence Adams made a well played 32 not out to help guide Anguilla home in the most exciting match so far in this year's competition. Wicketkeeper Josiah John contributed a useful 14 to help guide Anguilla past St Maarten.
St Martin trying to restrict Anguilla saw Morland Le Blanc bowling 10 overs with no maiden for 35 runs and picking up three wickets in the process. He was supported in a losing effort by Colin Hamer who had 2 wickets for 42 runs from 9 overs while Captain John Eugene had the other wicket bowling 9.5 overs with one maiden and conceding 30 wickets.
The exciting match saw St Maarten hitting a total of fourteen fours and one six with Anguilla hitting glen fours and two sixes.