Fairfield book passage to SDC T20 semis

Manchester's Fairfield United, despite the weather intervening on an exciting day of cricket, utilised the early sunny conditions to defeat May Pen Lions by 47 runs in the opening fixture of a doubleheader at Sir P Oval in Clarendon in the Social Development Commission Cal's sponsored National Community Twenty20 (T20) competition on Sunday.

Fairfield, champions two years ago, were in a no-nonsense mood and posted a formidable total of 197 in 17. 5 overs, with Courtney Allen leading the way with a belligerent 66 to get things going for them.

Allen hit the ball to all parts of the small Sir P Oval ground as the opener capitalised on wayward May Pen Lions' bowling. The left-hander hit 10 fours and three sixes in his 36-ball knock.

Brian Clarke supported with 30, while Jermaine Morgan chipped in with 25 against four wickets for 44 runs from Odain McCatty.

The big total didn't seem to faze May Pen Lions, who tried to push things along thanks to a fighting knock of 68 from captain Teino Osbourne, who hit five fours and five sixes in his 44-ball knock.

When Osbourne fell, so did the momentum of May Pen Lions, who could only manage 150 for eight in the allotted 19 overs. Johnois Sappleton chipped in with 25, while his cousin Ferdinand Sappleton made an unbeaten 15.

Romario Marshall was the main destroyer bagging three wickets for 26 runs, while there were two wickets each for Oshane Walters and national off-spinner Jamie Merchant.

Fairfield United's Brian Clarke said they had a game plan, which worked to perfection.

"I thought our guys played some good cricket because we put some runs on the board and put them under pressure early, and our bowlers held their own to restrict them," Clarke said.

Losing captain Osbourne said the game got away from them after wayward bowling in the power play.

"We allowed them to get away with a big start, and even though we pegged them back, it was a bit too much for us in the end," Osbourne said.

Only four overs were possible in the second game of the doubleheader between Junction Bull Savannah and Eastwood Park after rain halted play.

Based on the SDC rules of the competition, the teams had a choice of a bowl-off or a re-scheduled game, with the latter set to take place tomorrow at the same venue starting at 10 a.m. It will determine who will join Fairfield, Whitehouse and Links United in the final four on Sunday at Ultimate Oval.