CHARLESTOWN Nevis, February 17th 2011 - The Seventh Day Adventists Jets pulled off one of the most amazing upset wins last evening at the Ramsbury grounds. This as the action continued in the Bonzo 10/10 series sponsored by the Nevis Cooperative Credit Union.
It was the first fixtured match yesterday as a powerful Pennyless All stars team came up against the crowd’s pick for the minnows.—The SDA Jets. For the record, the Pennyless Allstars team comprised of no fewer than seven current and past Nevis senior team players: Merlin Liburd, Malcolm Ramsey, Jason Campbell, Aquito Willet, Junie Williams, Carlos Adolphus and Captain Javia Liburd. On the other hand, the SDA Jets could only boast of one individual who has worn Nevis senior team colours in Curtis Morton Jr. They were however boosted with the addition of Kittitian guest player, Leon Clarke.
Captain Javia Liburd won the toss and decided to bat first.
The All stars men never got off to the ;flyer’ that they were anticipating, even though they were helped in their cause by a somewhat rusty looking Curtis Morton Jr who was coming off a self imposed one year sabbatical and was a little off line for starters. He however improved as his spell progressed. The Jets team showed first signs of their intention when the experienced veteran Elroy Kelly leaped to his right to pull off a spectacular two handed catch to dismiss the aggressive Aquito Willet off the bowling of Clarke.
Adolphus and Javia Liburd then held their own for a mini partnership but after they were separated, the Nevis champion team struggled. Merlin Liburd was run out for one and even though Junie Williams batted sensibly in the lower order, their eventual total of ninety four runs from the allotted 10 overs, was a far cry from the intended score, after winning the toss and batting first.
However, with the usual Australian type attitude, the Pennyless All stars men went onto the field of play still bubbling because the norm was that whatever score they made, the opposition would not be able to get close to it.
Again the SDA Jets team showed ominous signs of their intention when the fourth ball from the fiery Elroy ‘Jimbo’ David was unceremoniously deposited clean over the midwicket fence for a huge six, from the bat of Curtis Morton SR, which actually landed on the compounds of the Charlestown Primary School. After Morton was run out, unwisely attempting a second run to third man, Leon Clarke then promptly dispatched David over the straight long off boundary for another six.
Javia Liburd wrung the changes depending on the spinning trio of Jason Campbell, Junie Williams and Aquito Willet to work the magic for his team but the Jets men held their nerves. With nine runs required from the final over, it finally came down to three runs required from three balls –the crucial over being bowled by Merlin Liburd. A wide delivery by Liburd resulted in two extra runs and effectively tying the scores. It was now one run required from all of three balls. Jets Captain Venrick Newton got a healthy edge down through the vacant third man position and rushed off the field with his bat raised in celebration.
It was a moment for the history books. The powerful Pennyless Allstars team had been knocked out in the first round of the Bonzo 10/10 series by one of the minnows!
Someone had the sense of humour to say that maybe the Jets men were so overjoyed that some of them may show up to work today, still wearing their cricket uniform—and who knows, they may be right!
Summarized scores: Pennyless Allstars: Ninety four for six from ten overs: Javia Liburd –Thirty-four; Carlos Adolphus twenty and Junie Williams seventeen.
Venrick Newton 3 wickets and Leon Clarke one.
SDA Jets:
98 for 3 from 9.4 overs: Leon Clarke 40*; Charles Morton 17 and Curtis Morton Sr 12
Zavero Forbes 1 wicket and Aquito Willet 1
Today it will be Jessups against South Warriors in the final preliminary game. It is understood that the exciting Jets team’s next encounter will be versus the champion team Highlights on Tuesday 22nd February at 4.30 pm.
