THE COPS are crumbling again with three-time defending champs Sagicor UWI on course for their second successive victory in this year’s LIME Elite Division.
After 21-year-old left-hander Raymon Reifer hit a solid 112, his seventh century at this level, to lead UWI to a healthy first innings 310 for eight declared, Police stumbled to 75 for five in their second innings, requiring 100 more to avoid an innings defeat.
Starting the second day on 16, with UWI on 127 for five, replying to Police’s modest first innings of 135, Reifer steered the UWI lower order in a four-hour knock which contained eight fours and a six off 180 balls.
After losing overweek partner Kevin McClean for a patient 11 in 83 minutes, and Liam Sebastien for 24 in a seventh-wicket stand of 68, Reifer reached his century in the final over before tea when UWI were 258 for seven in 71 overs.
On resumption, UWI successfully hunted quick runs to secure maximum batting points with Reifer driving off-spinner Jason Smith for consecutive fours. But going for a big heave, he skied a simple catch to the bowler.
Afterward, Marques Clarke (21 not out) and Akeem Dewar (36 not out) hit some lusty blows in an unbroken 40-run ninth wicket stand in just 3.2 overs to see UWI past the 300-mark.
Batting a second time, with a deficit of 175 runs, Police ran into early trouble when captain Roger Williams was trapped LBW for two by Clarke, who then held a superb catch at long on, after off-spinner Ryan Austin lured Dwayne Yearwood into going over the top, at 29 for two.
Favour returned
Three runs later, Carlos Brathwaite removed Richard Greaves for 13 through a slip catch by his cousin Jonathan Carter but the favour was returned by Brathwaite when Carter induced an edge from Dario Sargeant.
Meanwhile, Brian Corbin hoisted Austin for two huge sixes over wide long on, but was soon snapped by Carter, from a deflection off wicket-keeper Kyle Corbin, after Dewar was introduced.
Larry Babb made a breezy unbeaten 21, hitting Dewar for a four and six between wide long off and extra cover but Sargeant was trapped LBW by Carter, in the day’s final over, for six.
