LOCAL CRICKET GAMES

PIC Insurance Liberta have retained their Antigua & Barbuda Cricket Association’s (ABCA) State Insurance (SIC) 40 Overs Championship.

Liberta beat Scotia Bank Empire by 47 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method in a rain-affected final at the Antigua Sugar Factory Grounds on Saturday to capture their 6th consecutive title. Set challenging 263 to win, Empire were tottering on 76 for four off 16 overs when rain intervened and forced an early end to the contest.
 
All rounder Rahkeem Cornwall and wicketkeeper/batsman Kerry Mentore both slammed half centuries to propel Liberta to 262 for seven off their allotted 40 overs.  Cornwall smashed a topscore of 82 off just 58 balls, which included six sixes and seven fours. Mentore struck 55 off 79 balls and hit seven fours and a six in his 74-minute innings. Kenyatta Joseph chipped in with 41 off 31 balls and Hayden Walsh jr contributed 22.

Ex-Leeward Islands’ allrounder Carl “Curl” Simon captured two for 25 in his eight overs, while Dave Hughes picked up two for 32 in five overs. Leg-spinner Lynton Africa, Ian Tittle and Trevonson Atley each claimed a wicket. Damian Lowerfield hit a topscore of 26 in the Empire reply. Pacer Stanny Simon took two for 17 and Cornwall picked up one for 16.



Liberta’s victory on Saturday capped a perfect display in the competition in which they won all their encounters.