THERE are new leaders in the LIME Division 1 cricket competition.LIME moved to the top of the table after snatching first innings points in dramatic fashion against Guardian General Barbados Youth on the final day of fifth round matches yesterday.LIME earned ten points that took them to 56 points, three more than TeleBarbados Carlton, who completed an unlikely come-from-behind win against ESA Field Pickwick.The only other victory was recorded by defending champions Sagicor UWI who defeated IBCL Empire.Pre-series leaders Super Centre Spartan had to settle for one point against CGI Maple after wet conditions forced a wash out in that match for the second successive day.AT CANE GARDEN: Spinners Ashley Nurse and Nicholai Charles engineered a dramatic lower order collapse to not only pilot LIME to first innings lead over Guardian General Youth, but to the top of the standings of the LIME-sponsored BCA Division 1 table.Off-spinner Nurse and leg-spinner Charles grabbed four wickets each for 48 and 40 respectively as the last six wickets fell in 6.3 overs for 11 runs to send the home side crashing to 214 all out in response to 251 for eight declared.Successive partnerships of 48 for the third wicket, 70 for the fourth and 55 for the fifth threatened to baulk LIME’s push for the honours but once Youth skipper Mario Rampersaud perished to pacer Corey Edwards with the second new ball for a patient 60, the resistance caved in.Kemar Brathwaite with a polished knock of 54 shared in the first stand with Akeem Springer (31) before he and the captain joined in the impressive fourth wicket alliance.
– WAYNE HOLDER     Â
AT BLACK ROCK: TeleBarabdos Carlton earned a remarkable come-from-behind, three-wicket win over ESA Field Pickwick . Set 216 for victory from a minimum of 35 overs, the hosts reached the target for the loss of seven wickets with 5.3 overs left.Openers Vonrick Nurse with 46 off 36 balls and Richard Greaves (18) put them on course, adding 52 in five overs..Khalid Springer and Carlo Morris sustained the tempo with robust knocks of 39 and 29 respectively and Kurt Wilkinson weighed in with an unbeaten 42.Earlier, resuming from an overnight 106 for six in reply to Pickwick’s 334 for nine declared, Carlton were eventually dismissed for 212. All-rounder Springer smashed a run-a-ball 63. He and Alex Bridgeman with an important 25, shared a vital eight-wicket stand of 57. Ryan Layne claimed five for 57. Afterwards, Kyle Hope with 61 and brother Shai (23) added an unfinished third-wicket partnership of 89, as Pickwick raced to 93 before they declared just after tea.
– ELVIS HOWARD
AT 3Ws OVAL: Omar Phillips scored a purposeful 60 to help Sagicor UWI formalise a seven-wicket victory over IBCL Empire about an hour and half before the scheduled close.The UWI captain struck six boundaries from 97 balls in 98 minutes, as his side, chasing 119 for victory, hit the jackpot, when Floyd Reifer turned a delivery from Jason Haynes into mid-wicket for two.Earlier, Kevin Stoute struck five fours and two sixes in the top score of 64 from 144 balls in close to three hours of batting, as Empire were dismissed for 180 in their second innings about an hour and 20 minutes before tea.Stoute added 96 for the seventh wicket with Ian Perryman (42) to beef up to Empire’s total.Off-spinner Ryan Austin collected four wickets for 51 runs from 19 overs, Gilford Moore snared three for 40 off 14 overs, and Kavesh Kantasingh captured two for 44 from 22 overs.
AT DAYRELLS ROAD: A spirited lower order rally led by veteran cricketer Thelston Payne spurred BNB St Catherine to first innings lead over Wanderers.Resuming on 113 for seven in reply to the Wanderers score of 225 in 64 overs, St. Catherine reached 231 all out off 89. 2 overs.Wanderers, batting a second time reached 212 for eight after wobbling badly at 39 for four. Jason Greene batted well in compiling 83 with four sixes and seven fours, while Ian Bradshaw struck four sixes and nine fours in a belligerent 70 off 45 balls.For entertainment value Greene and Bradshaw took the prize. It was St Catherine though with the advantage on points and this was due largely to Payne’s rescue act that started the previous evening when he came to the crease with St Catherine 74 for six. Payne’s top score of 54 came off 138 balls in 146 minutes and included six boundaries. He added 83 for the eighth wicket with Michael Holder (44).
– PHILIP HACKETT
AT WEYMOUTH: Caribbean Lumber YMPC were forced to settle for first innings lead as the Police batsmen defied their ploy. With a lead of just 18 runs, YMPC, in what seemed to be a surprise to many, declared their first innings. Despite losing an early wicket with the score on 15, Police batsmen batted to within four overs of the day’s allotment for the loss of only five wickets to salvage a tame draw. Opener Roger Williams topscored with 43. Earlier, YMPC resumed at four without loss and recahed 110 for four off 31 overs before declaring. Dwayne Smith made 33.
– EVANS HINKSON
AT THE BREWERY: Captain Sean Armstrong hit a patient 81, to help Dover earn a draw against Banks. Banks continued from their overnight score of 183 for four and declared at 252 for eight. Renaldo Holder made 27 while Anderson Sealy got 29. Off-spinner Daley Hurley and fast bowler Andre Bourne took three wickets each. Dover, facing a deficit of 94 started their second innings disastrously, losing Shanaldo Taylor to fast bowler Martin Nurse in the second over and lost wickers at regular intervals. But Armstrong stayed around with help from Vibert Greene to lead them to safety.
– ANCILLE INNISS
