CUL DE SAC—The ELECTEC Lucians United Cricket Club was dumped out of the Prime Pepsi Cup when NAGICO Cricket Club registered a devastating seven-wicket win at Caribe Lumber Ballpark, yesterday.
Lucians United, one of the most competitive cricket clubs on St. Maarten was bowled out for a modest 135 in 36.3 of the allotted 50 overs. Off spinner Asa Edwards was largely responsible for the rout with Man-of-the match figures of five for 22 in 6.3 overs.
Edwards was well supported by Captain Lionel Ritchie with three for 21 in nine overs, Cornelius Dupee one for 31 in six overs and Marlon Brutus one for 36 in six overs.
For the losers, only Elias Aristhee with 23, Presley Arnaud 21, Peter Edwards and Reginald Joseph 16 apiece and overseas player Maxford Pipe 14 got into double figures. The openers - Edwards and Arnaud - started off briskly until the woodwork behind them was disrupted by Dupie (1 for 37) and Brutus (2 for 52) respectively.
Pipe who is seen as the linchpin of the Lucians batting, played uncharacteristically for 14 off 59 balls while scoring only one four. Pipe is known for his aggressive stroke play but was tied down by some tight bowling by his opponents and by the weight of the responsibility of posting a big individual score.
In reply, NAGICO knocked off the target in 30.3 overs for the loss of only three wickets. Nevisian Tonito Willet top scored with a skilful 45 decorated with six fours after facing 51 balls.
The stylish right-hander who was named the vice captain of the Leeward Islands team for the regional four-day tournament currently in progress, has seemingly fallen out of favour with the management of the team and has since missed the last two first class matches.
Stephen Evans slammed 36 off 38 balls (7 fours) to propel the score early in the response. The third batsman dismissed was Shaquille Martina for one. Evans' opening partner Keith Carty was left not out on 30 off 74 balls (3 fours) along with Romain Doodnauth who hit one four and one six in an unbeaten 14.
The wicket takers for the Lucians United were leg spinner Elias Josephat (one for 27 off seven overs) and off spinner Arif Khan (one for 30 in 5.3 overs).
Lucians United now joins Motorworld Kaieteur, Mary's Boon Strikers and WIB Pioneers as the teams knocked out of the tournament. NAGICO, WINAIR Conquerors, Rams Crusaders and B&C Spartans are the final four teams in the tournament.
Next Sunday, the focus will be on the clash between the Crusaders and Spartans.
Meanwhile, in the B-Division, La Savanne Cricket Club overpowered Shop-4-Less Everest by 57 runs on Saturday. Everest inserted La Savanne who compiled the highest total so far in the B-Division - 223 for eight - after the match had been reduced to 25 overs.
Lionel Ritchie clobbered 61 off a mere 36 balls with 12 fours and one six. There were other significant contributions from Doodnauth - 46 off 41 balls (6 fours); and, Captain Lerry Baptiste 41 off 30 balls (2 fours, 3 sixes).
Dhaneshwar Jaimangle bagged four for 28 in three overs.
The Everest team was restricted by Ritchie (two for 11 in four overs) and Doodnauth (two for 20 in four overs).
At the end of 25 overs Everest had reached 166 for six with Jaglall Chand 46 off 38 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes), Jaimangle 37 off 40 balls (6 fours) and Chetram Ram with a run-a-ball 33 being the principle scorers.
