Junction/Ballards Valley, Comfort off to winning start

The national phase of the Cal's sponsored Social Development Commission (SDC) National Community T20 competition got under way last weekend with St Elizabeth's Junction/Ballards Valley and Manchester outfit Comfort Cricket Club securing victories in the feature encounters at French Park in Manchester.

In the opening game of the doubleheader, Comfort CC pulled off a six-wicket win over Clarendon-based Race Course, who first posted 165 for nine in their 20 overs.

Former West Indies player Krishmar Santokie led the batting with 58, while Brian Buchanan chipped in with 25 for Race Course. Hanif Martin took two wickets for 31 runs, while Curtis Campbell bagged two for 33 runs for Comfort.

In reply, Matthew Morgan led the run chase with 66 runs while Manchester High schoolboy captain Sanjay Walker scored an even 50.

Santokie provided an all-around effort by grabbing two wickets for 19 runs in a losing cause. Justin Walters also picked up two wickets which cost 30 runs.

In the second encounter, Junction/Ballards Valley carved out a five-wicket win over Fairfield United, who batted first and got to 172 for six, with national all-rounder Jamie Merchant leading the way with 90 not out.

Troy Powell and David Powell took two wickets each for Junction/Ballards Valley, who replied with 175 for five in 19.4 overs. Allen Powell top-scored with 62 runs, while Andre McCarthy chipped in with 59.

David Powell took Junction/Ballards Valley to victory with an unbeaten 22, despite two wickets for 30 runs from Ramario Marshall.

The next featured match venue will be at the Trelawny Multipurpose Stadium, Florence Hall, Trelawny, on Sunday, with the opening encounter at 10 a.m. seeing Elgin Town Cricket Team from Hanover taking on St James' Orange Cricket Team.

The second game at 2 p.m. features Trelawny's Troy Cricket Team squaring off with Westmoreland's Whitehouse.