Barbados: Innings' Points Keep Police Ahead (12 October 1998)

12 October 1998

Barbados: Innings' Points Keep Police Ahead

The Barbados Nation

Leaders Police, BET, Banks, and BNB St. Catherine gained first innings points on the second day of the ninth series of BCA Courts/Suzuki Division 1 competition yesterday.

The innings of the day came from Sean Armstrong of Banks whose 155 against BCL illuminated the Brewery grounds.

A responsible 44 from wicketkeeper Derwin Thompson helped secure first innings points for Police and a lead of 58 over YMPC.

Thompson, who faced 91 balls and struck seven boundaries, shared a vital fifth-wicket partnership of 58 with Alvin Campbell which repaired the innings after they were 87 for four.

He fell to leg-spinner Terry Rollock, attempting to hit out, soon after Campbell was bowled by paceman Kenrick Marshall for 19.

Rudolph Clarke, with 36, and veteran Leslie Reifer, 22, also made important contributions to allow Police to declare in the final hour, leaving YMPC to face 12 overs in their second innings.

All-rounder Rollock picked up four for 50.

At stumps, YMPC were 50 for three, all falling to Duane Davis.

Cable and Wireless BET forged a lead of 260 to put themselves in a commanding position to force an outright win over Mount Gay Maple.

The home side resumed at 14 for one and quickly folded.

Pacer Corey Collymore, who grabbed four for 25, was well supported by off-spinner Ryan Hurley, three for 15, and medium-pacer Adrian Brathwaite, two for 10, as BET took a 141-run first innings lead.

Then openers Ron Bates, with a run-a-ball 43, and captain Brian Johnson, who smashed 40 from 30 deliveries, posted 68 to help the visitors press home their advantage.

Brian Shepherd produced a steamy spell of sustained fast bowling to ensure BNB St. Catherine first innings lead over CHIC Schools South.

The strong, athletic Shepherd operated for nearly two hours and had four of six victims caught off deliveries which rose above chest height.

He got the key wicket of Franklyn Stephenson (28) at 123 for eight, with the students still needing a further 11 to avoid the follow-on. However, a determined ninth-wicket stand of 36 between Damien Maynard and Ryan Austin eased the pressure.

The schools were dismissed with 3.2 overs left.

CHIC Schools North are making a steady reply to Cockspur Wanderers' healthy total.

At the close of the second day they were trailing the home team by 137 runs with six first innings' wickets in hand.

Batting without their captain Jason Parris, injured the previous day, and on the anniversary of the death of former coach Keith Boyce, they showed much application.

Wanderers continued from their overnight score of 217 for six and added 55 for the loss of three more wickets before declaring.

Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn took five for 97.

Hattian Graham made a dramatic return to Division 1 cricket after injury, with a three-wicket burst that rocked Empire's top order yesterday.

Shawn Graham (34 not out) and Robin Parris (31 not out) are repairing the damage in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 61.

At 27 for three with Carlisle Best, Michael Inniss and Sherlon Greaves snapped up by Graham, Empire were in crisis.

The drama started when Graham plucked out the middle stump of former Barbados and West Indies batsman Carlisle Best in the first over. Best, also in his first Division 1 match this season, had cover-driven the previous ball for his only boundary.

Earlier, Rowehan Walcott had completed an even 50 when Spartan resumed on 186 for four, before falling leg-before-wicket to Victor Walcott (three for 81).

United Carlton, led by an unbeaten 73 from left-handed opener Jason Clarke, made a positive reply to E.S.A. Field Pickwick's big score.

Clarke, who missed Carlton's last two matches because of injury, opened his innings in an aggressive manner with his first five scoring shots being boundaries.

He and Ron Cumberbatch gave the Black Rock team a solid opening stand of 58, while veteran Wilbur Bruce made 42 not out in an unbroken 81-run second-wicket stand.

Earlier, Pickwick added another 92 runs. Neil Weekes was caught at long-on for 78 and Henderson Wallace added 56 to remain unbeaten on 78.

Sean Armstrong's brilliant 155 made sure that Banks sustained the initiative gained when they took the remaining two BCL wickets for five runs.

Banks recovered from the loss of an early wicket with Armstrong sharing two major partnerships to set the stage for his team's commanding position.

With Adrian Watson (11) he put on 66 for the second wicket, and then Barry Callender joined him in a punishing fourth-wicket stand.

Armstrong's knock included 18 fours and one six in 210 minutes from 120 balls. Callender's 84, including four sixes and six fours, occupied 93 minutes.

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)