NAGICO-LICA Cricket One Day Tournament
Montserrat Wins to Keep Semifinal Chances Alive – Defeats BVI
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.
Montserrat cricket team defeated BVI by 26 runs to keep its semifinal chances alive when sixth round action in the 2008 NAGICO Leeward Islands Cricket Association One Day competition played at Warmer Park.
BVI won the toss and asked Montserrat to bat on a nicely prepared pitch. Montserrat did not capitalize on a pitch that favoured the batsmen thus resulting in them not capitalize on a number of scoring opportunities.
Leading the charge was Mc Pherson Meade with a superb 67 runs adding supporting him very well was Jason Peters with 38 while Bryan Stephanie chipped in with an undefeated 30.
BVI’s bowling was once again spearheaded by the very dependable Maxford Pipe who has been the backbone of BVI’s team for this year’s three and limited overs competition with excellent returns of 25 for three.
Grabbing three wickets also were Johnny Bailey and Brent Defraites for 36 and 38 respectively. Having asked to make 180 for victory on a pitch that still offered assistance to the batsmen BVI with an excellent opportunity placed in front of them flattered and were all bundled out in just 36.2 overs for 153.
Maxford Pipe who has been playing ‘superman’s’ responsibilities throughput the tournament retuned with the bat to slam a well played 57. Adding some support were Kwesi Sinclair and Dorian Auguiste with 25 and 22 runs respectively.
Playing a star innings was Bryan Stephanie who captured four for 47 while Trevor Semper had two for 22.
The win has now put Montserrat in a somewhat strong position where they are expected to win their last game thus guaranteeing them the opportunity of qualifying. Montserrat last game is an all important fixture as their spot in the semifinal would be confirmed should they win their last game which is against -------.
The semifinal and finals is billed for St Maarten next weekend while Antigua and St Kitts have already been assured of semifinal spots. St Kitts is the defending champions while Antigua is a former five time champion.