Premier Division race going to the wire

The race for the title of 2007 RBBT Bank Premier Division cricket champion, could end in a photo finish.

Out front on 56 points are Victors One who have two matches still to be played. Spartans and Radcliffe are locked in second position. Both have 52 points with a match in hand.{{more}} Rivals dock at fourth on 48 points, but with two matches. The weather though can be a decisive factor on the home stretch.

Rivals’ position were enhanced last weekend when they took first innings points from Radcliffe, at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

A 118 run fifth wicket partnership between Olanzo Jackson 64 Roland Wilkinson 57 rescued Rivals from 45 for 4, to their eventual 221 all out.

Dyke Cato took 5 for 86 and Mahlon John 4 for 40 were Radcliffe main wicket takers. In response Radcliffe fell short by 70 runs, dismissed for 152. Jackson bagged 6 for 53 for Rivals. Batting a second time, Rivals made 156 for 4 declared. Harley Skerritt and Kenrick Williams both making 57. John pushed his tally of wickets for the season to 40, taking 2 for 46. But Jackson is still ahead of him with 42 scalps.

Asked to make 226 for victory, Radcliffe were 138 for 6 at the close. Lynden James was 46 not out. Delroy Johnson made 45.

While the title cannot be called, St. David’s are certain to be demoted to the First Division next season, as they ended the competition with no point.

They were crushed by 2006 champion Police Two at Sion Hill. St. David’s were dismissed for 117. Olando Charles was their topscorer with 39, as Elmore Alexander bagged 6 for 29.

Police then posted 286. O’Neil Thomas led the way with 137, laced with 11 fours and 3 sixes. Mc Leon Williams chipped in with 37. T’Shorn Lavia was the pick of St. David’s bowling with 4 for 65 and Dorson Cottle 3 for 53.

St. David’s fared better in their second innings reaching 190. Mayor Edwards struck 62 and Charles 32. Thomas capped off his allround ability with 4 for 74.

Police reached their required winning total of 22, to move to 41 points and fifth in the standings with a match in hand.

But the Bottlers First Division is clearer cut with Log Master cantering home. They added another outright victory last weekend, defeating Smashers by eight wickets.

Smashers scored 112, with Deptor Culzac making 46 and Justin Lee 35. Aaron Bascombe took 4 for 22.



Bradley Brooker (at right) then hit a 100 not out, punctuated with 12 fours, as Log Master reached 193 all out. Hassan Edwards 5 for 45 and Kesrick Lewis 3 for 80 were Smashers’ main wicket takers.

Smashers made 160 in their second innings with Lewis making 65 not out and Culzac 35. The old brigade of Montgomery Sealey 3 for 44 and Brooker 3 for 12 were the demolishers. Harvey Pope was 49 not out as Log Masters successfully reached 84 for 2 in their second knock.

The other First Division fixture played last weekend saw second place Packers taking first innings points over Unique Warriors.

Calrick Ferdinand 54, Roneil Jeffrey 48, Reginald Jeffery 46, Jamil Jeffrey 43, combined to see Packers to 222. Alphie Gould 4 for 52 was the Warriors’ best bowler. The efforts of Audie Hunte 59 and Gould 58 were insufficient as the Jeffreys were in full effect with the ball also.

Roneil 3 for 47, Jamal 3 for 28 and Reginald 2 for 47 were the architects of Warriors’ destruction for 182. Packers made 156, batting a second time. Jamal Jeffrey made 55 and Ian Bushay 42. Samuel Byam took 3 for 12 and Gould 3 for 55, bowling for the Warriors, who collected four points to reach 48 and are in joint fourth position with Victors Two with one match in hand. (RT)