Empire jinx SDA Jets yet again

Make it three times in a row. The SDA Jets is still to find a solution to deal with the Empire Cricket club jinx. Last year, Empire easily won over them in the second division finals and it was Empire who jinxed them once again in the Hensley Daniel soft ball league, last year as well.

It meant that when the two teams met in the 2013 edition of the local semi finals, in the second division competition, the Jets would have been hoping to break the jinx–but that was not to be.

The match was played at the ET Willet Park on Tuesday 14th May in front of a small but vociferous crowd.

Empire won the toss and immediately decided to bat first with Colin Archibald and Lornel Dore opening the innings. The two developed a healthy opening stand with Archibald bludgeoning the ball to all parts of the grounds, while Dore on the other hand was more about finesse and timing.

It was also a day when the Jets men developed ‘butter fingers’ and missed several opportunities to separate the two. The two had gone well past the century opening stand when they were parted.

Colin Archibald wafted at a flighted delivery from Curtis Morton Sr and was well caught by Brian Dowe at first slip. Dore followed shortly after, just short of a half century when he was yorked by a beauty from Curtis Morton Jr.

Thereafter, Junior DUNCAN Mills wasted little time getting into the thirties, accompanied by the fleet footed Joel Simmonds. Empire getting to an imposing 166 in the allotted 20 overs.

The Jets started off at a rapid clip with consecutive boundaries in the first over but only flattered to deceive. Oneil Walters mistimed a drive and lofted the ball high into the air to be caught. Curtis Morton Sr completely lost sight of a high full toss from Kezron Archibald and was bowled neck and crop. Charles Morton uncharacteristically lofted to mid off and was snared by Colin Archibald and the injured Curtis Morton Jr, after one terrific off side drive, holed out to Colin Archibald at mid on.

Suddenly the Jets were in tatters and for all intents and purposes, the spectators were in for an early night.

Then began the Venrick Newton show. The dapper right hander ably assisted by an ultra aggressive Elroy Kelly, started sedately but as the overs ran out, he gave the Empire team a mini panic attack.

He took a particular liking to the medium pace of Rakeesh and then the trundlers of Joel Simmonds and maximums were raining at the ET Willet Park.

The Empire men could only breathe easier when he was bowled by an understandably jubilant Simmonds as he swung too early and his middle stump was disturbed.

Empire wasted little time in completing the final rites and in the process secured a berth in the finals for 2013.

Summarized scores:

Joel Simmonds 4 wickets; Colin Archibald 3; Rakeesh 2 and Charles Hendrickson 1

Pennyless All Stars is now set to take on Highlights in the other semi final encounter on Thursday 16th May at the ET Willet Park.