BELIZE CITY, Thurs. May 20, 2021– Hello out there to all cricket lovers! Under the auspices of the Belize National Cricket Association, the Barry Bowen/ Harrison Parks 2020 Cricket Competition continued over the weekend with two wonderful matches.
In the first to report, Western Eagles made a very good try at staying in the playoffs, but got dropped by the upstart Rural Mix. I always wish and hope that one day the Eagles will reach the top and be crowned champion. But hard as they fought, it was not to be in years gone by or last season, that is being finished this year due to that dreaded virus. The team is comprised of very young talented players, and no doubt with good coaching and strong focusing in the game in future tournaments they could reach the top spot. So, better playing next time, guys! Heartfelt gratitude in your performance!
In the game they played against Rural Mix, the latter took to bat first, and at the fall of the last wicket the score board showed the Mix at 163 runs all out. In that inning Randy Robinson scored 41, followed by Jarrel Hendy with 22. Casper Smith, who bowled exceptionally well, took 4 wickets, followed by Jermaine Pook with 2.
Now it’s time for showdown. As good as Casper Smith and Norman Pook tried in their batting performances, scoring 23 and 18, respectively, the precise bowling of Dwayne and Dudley Hendy, who took 6 and 3 wickets each, cut the team down for 119. The Eagles lost by 44 runs. This puts the Eagles at 3rd place in Level Two.
Rural Mix will now play Brilliant at Isabella on Saturday in a two-best-of-three for the (Level Two) championship crown. For an update on these two teams, in the knockout Brilliant had beaten Rural Mix. Rural Mix was given a second chance to redeem themselves against the Eagles, and they did.
The other game was played in Belmopan between Bandits of Belmopan and Summer Fever of Landing. These two teams are going in a two-best-of-three series in Level One. Whoever wins will be crowned champ.
The Fever boys opted to bat first, and the batsmen started to flex muscles, but with the so precise bowling of Bandits’ bowlers Orlando and Walton “Baby Hulk” Banner, who took 3 wickets each, the Fever team was cut down for 164 runs, with Maurice Castillo scoring 48, followed by Kenton Young with 20.
After a short break, the Bandits took to bat. It was not Summer Fever’s day, as at the fall of 4 wickets Bandits had batted 165. Learon Muslar scored 64, and Glenford “Bling” Banner, 32. Kenton Young took 2 wickets.
That’s the first in the best-of-three for the Bandits. These two teams will meet again on Saturday at Landing. If Summer Fever wins, then a third game will be played to determine a champ. I guess the Fever Boys had done a thorough autopsy to find out what went wrong, and team Bandits might have done the same to find out what was done right.
To all teams playing this Saturday I say, best of luck! KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE BALL!
That’s all, folks. Continue to follow the Covid-19 protocols and be safe. Bye Bye for now!