Spartan overhaul Bayfield lads

Contrasting half-centuries by Philo Wallace and Corey Yearwood paved the way for Big B Spartan's commanding position over BNB St Catherine yesterday.

Barbados opener Wallace struck an aggressive 83, while his opening partner Yearwood made a workmanlike undefeated 67, as they shared a 147-run opening stand.

Wallace's run-a-ball innings lasted 144 minutes with five fours and two towering sixes over mid-wicket, while Yearwood struck three fours off a 120 balls in an innings which took 170 minutes.

Both batsmen cut, pulled and drove with authority on either side of the wicket as they built upon the start their bowlers set up earlier.

Philip Browne, Sulieman Benn and Mark Alleyne all picked up three wickets as they humbled the St Catherine side for a disappointing first innings total.

Veteran Thelston Payne, with an authoritative 54 off 94 deliveries was the main stay of St Catherine's innings.

He strode to the wicket with his team tottering at 27 for four and was the eighth man out after playing a lazy shot off left-arm spinner Benn.

Payne struck two fours in his 150-minute stay at the crease.

Prediction: Spartan should score an outright victory.