Republic Bank?St Catherine registered their fifth victory to top Zone B of the Sagicor General Super Cup when they defeated Super Centre Spartan by 20 runs in their final preliminary match yesterday.
Spartan were unable to reach St Catherine’s 193 for eight in 50 overs when they crumbled under the pressure to be dismissed for 173 in 48.3 overs. Both St Catherine and Spartan have qualified for the quarter-finals of the competition.
The visitors’ downfall was caused by incisive seam bowling by left-armer Michael Holder and Joel Leacock.
The big and strongly built right-handed Leacock came into the attack in the 32nd over with Spartan recovering from losing their third wicket at 54 in the 19th over.
Rashidi Boucher, who batted solidly to top score with 72 (96 balls, 4×4, 2×6) and Reydon Toppin (21) had repaired the Parkites innings in a stand of 55 for the fourth wicket.
Leacock brought the home team back into the game when he took the wickets Reydon Toppin and Andre Gill in quick succession to leave Spartan tottering at 124 for six.
Holder returned for his second spell with the score on 123 for five in the 37th over and he scattered Boucher’s stumps.
He also captured the wickets of Sulieman Benn and Chaim Holder to end with figures of three for 45 runs from 10 overs. Leacock had the pleasure of taking the last wicket of Jabbar Niles for a fighting 34 to end with three for 21.
Earlier, left-handed opener Omar Phillips’ fine form continued as he carved out a mature 70 from 115 balls with two sixes and two fours. With Shamarh Cooke (40), Phillips posted a second stand of 73 and with Steven Katwaroo (40) he added 67 for the fourth wicket after Kenroy Williams fell for a “duck”.
