Teams battle for quarter-final places in Masters’ cricket

The last round of matches in the SVG Masters Twenty/20 Cricket Competition will be crucial for some teams, as they seek to get among the last eight.{{more}}

Among those battling for the possible two spots in Zone B are Sion Hill, Computec Belfongo and Coreas Hazells Inc North Leeward.

Sion Hill, the losing finalists in 2014 and 2015, sits on 12 points, while Belfongo is on 14 and North Leeward – 12. All three have one game in hand.

But while the trio are on edge, defending champions RSVG Police and newcomers Mustique are high and dry into the quarter-finals, having completed their seven matches, with the lawmen on 20 points and Mustique – 24 points.

But Zone A is almost a foregone conclusion, as St Vincent Co-operative Bank Ptani, Stanley Browne’s Stubbs, North East and JG and Sons Glamorgan having occupied the top places.

Only Park Hill United on 10 points from six matches can possibly oust Glamorgan, on 14 points from all seven matches.

The preliminary round of competition inched nearer to the end last weekend with six matches.

At Arnos Vale One on Saturday, Ptani outlasted Marriaqua in a derby. Ptani scored 136 all out off 19 overs, led by Westmore Campbell – 45 and Elvis Charles – 30.

Esmond Yearwood, with 3 for 17 and Dennis Grant, 2 for 26, were Marriaqua’s most successful bowlers. Marriaqua could only make 98 for 7 off 20 overs, with Nathaniel Matthias, the main scorer, making 24. Westmore Campbell and Orlando Mofford both took 2 for 15, bowling for Ptani.

On Sunday, Sion Hill enhanced their chances with a six-wicket win over Ruddy’s Electrical Barrouallie at the Sion Hill Playing Field. Barrouallie’s innings of 74 was destroyed by the bowling of Joseph Medford, who bagged 6 for 5 and Colin Shoy – 2 for 15. Augustine Bentick, 24 and Garfield Charles, 22, were Barrouallie’s principal scorers.

Sion Hill, in response, reached 74 for 4 off 12.4 overs; Bill Edwards hit 27 and Joseph Carrington, 21. Samuel Byam took 2 for 8, bowling for Barrouallie.

Also on Sunday, Park Hill United defeated Bequia Cricket Association Masters by two wickets.

Bequia Cricket Association Masters scored 137 all out off 19.4 overs; Allan Foyle stroked 39 and Calvin Hazell, 34. George Marksman took 4 for 25 and Oscar Ryan, 4 for 27, bowling for Park Hill.

In reply, Park Hill United got over the line at 139 for 8 off 19.4 overs, guided by Ellsworth Francis, 48 not out and Oscar Ryan 27. Vibert Williams, with 2 for 22 and Allan Foyle – 2 for 27, were Bequia’s best bowlers.

At Buccament, RSVG Police completed a 35-run win over North Leeward at Buccament. RSVG Police scored 94 for 5 off 10 overs, as the match was reduced because of rain.

Leading RSVG Police’s batting was Jeffrey Laborde, who struck 33. Simon Jack had figures of 2 for 22, bowling for North Leeward.

North Leeward could only make 59 for 5 off 10 their overs, with Ancil Hooper scoring 21. Elmore Alexander took 2 for 11, bowling for RSVG Police.

And, there was no result in the North East versus Glamorgan encounter at Park Hill.

North East, on the back of Olanzo Jackson’s 44, posted 98 for 7 off 10 overs, as this match was also reduced because of rain. But rain prevented Glamorgan from responding.(RT)