By Delvon Mc Ewan
An attacking half century from Kefa Naughton set up an easy victory for Malteenoes Sports Club in the opening match of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) two-day first division competition against Transport Sports Club (TSC) at Malteenoes Sports Club Ground, Thomas Lands, last weekend.
Replying to the 163 all out in 42.3 overs made by the TSC, MSC began positively as the opening pair of Nicosi Barker and Hakeem David went to tea with the score 30 without loss. However, Barker was unable to bat after the break due to an injury he picked up whilst running between the wicket, allowing former national youth player Shaquille Williams to join David at the crease. Williams was soon lbw to medium pacer Shawn Massiah
leaving the score 44-1. MSC captain Kellon Carmichael joined David but he soon edged a wide ball from fast bowler Keon Morris as MSC slipped to 47-2.
Naughton, known for his aggressive batting joined David and the pair added a whopping 155-run partnership to give MSC first innings advantage before Naughton was removed in the penultimate over of the day for 93 with the score on 199. Malteenoes ended the day on 208-3 with David on 60 and Adrian Smith on one.
Earlier, TSC who won the toss were bowled out for 163 in the 43rd over, with Joshua Ram and Charwayne Mc Pherson, the chief scorers with 40 and 27 respectively. Bowling for MSC, Shaquille Williams took 4-34 receiving support from medium pacer Samuel Tixuel with 2-16.
When play resumed on the second day, David was removed early in the day for a well-played 67 and MSC was eventually bowled out for 287 for a lead of 124.
TSC, in their second innings, fell for 141 as the medium fast bowler Carmichael finished with 4-44 from 13 overs.
Needing 13 runs to complete an outright victory MSC did it quite easily, winning by 10 wickets as openers Barker and David were unbeaten on seven and two respectively with the remainder of the runs coming in extras.
In an invited comment, Naughton said he welcomed his first half century at this level as he is looking forward to a productive 2014 season for both himself and his team.
He added that MSC was currently without most of their experienced players who are currently playing professional cricket overseas, so this is definitely a good start to the season.
