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Clarendon, St Mary and Melbourne open JCA T20 Bashment with wins

Published:Tuesday | September 6, 2022 | 12:12 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
Clarendon Cricket Association batsman Albert Gopie scores through the off side on his way to an unbeaten 40 against St Catherine Cricket Association in their JCA T20 Bashment encounter at Sir P Oval in Clarendon on Sunday.
Clarendon Cricket Association batsman Albert Gopie scores through the off side on his way to an unbeaten 40 against St Catherine Cricket Association in their JCA T20 Bashment encounter at Sir P Oval in Clarendon on Sunday.

Following the successful staging of the Social Development Commission National Community T20 competition recently, the nation’s cricketers were back in action for their respective clubs and parishes as the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) T20 Bashment competition got under way over the weekend.

Leading out of the blocks with a comprehensive victory were the St Mary Cricket Association, who defeated St Ann Cricket Association by nine wickets in their encounter at Three Hills Cricket Ground.

Asked to take the first strike, St Ann could not cope with the impressive bowling from Jermaine Chisholm, who claimed three wickets, as they were dismissed for 128 in 18.4 overs. Sheldon Pryce also weighed in with two wickets for 17 runs, while national player Alwyn Williams bagged two wickets for 19 runs.

Only Darren Small with 22 and Gifton Wray and Amoi Campbell with 19 a piece, got significant scores for the St Ann side.

In reply, St Mary eased to their target by scoring 134 for one in 17 overs, with Anthony Walters leading the way with an unbeaten 53 and Tyrone Daley not out on 51.

The pair put on a 108-run, unbroken, second-wicket partnership to steer the St Mary side home, this after opener Williams fell leg before wicket to Orando Royes for 19.

Over at the Sir P Oval in Clarendon, the home side made light work of their match against the St Catherine Cricket Association following a six-wicket win.

After being sent in, St Catherine were blown away on a difficult pitch for just 85 runs in 18.4 overs, with Jermaine Thomas bagging three wickets for 12 runs, and Errol Thomas and Albert Gopie taking two wickets each.

Former national youth player Gopie then returned to hit an unbeaten 40 from 28 balls to guide Clarendon to 87 for four in 16 overs. Rajay Christie chipped in with 15 not out against three wickets for Shane Cole.

At Melbourne Oval, the home side carved out a three-wicket win over archrivals Kingston Cricket Club.

The Tigers first posted 200 for three in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to a fine, unbeaten 102 from Lionel Morant. The right-hander faced just 56 balls and hit six fours and eight sixes in his knock. Javaughn Buchanan chipped in with a polished 61 from 47 balls, as he and Morant added 135 runs for the third wicket.

In reply, Melbourne got over the line with one ball to spare, posting 201 for seven, thanks to 54 from Jon-Ross Campbell and an unbeaten 58 from Shalom Parnell. National off-spinner Akim Fraser took three wickets for 48 runs, with James McDonald grabbing two wickets for 46 runs.