A spectacular, unbeaten century from Sherfane Rutherford helped the Guyana Harpy Eagles beat the Leeward Islands Hurricanes by four wickets at the Queen’s Park Oval.
The Leewards batted first and posted 244 for 6 with significant middle-order contributions from Jahmar Hamilton, Karima Gore and Hayden Walsh Jr.
Walsh Jr made 49 off 56 balls with 7 fours and shared in an 81-run stand with Gore to take the Hurricanes out of a spot of bother at 60 for 3. Gore was next to go for 54 off 72 balls with 3 fours and a six after sharing in a partnership worth 36 with Jahmar Hamilton.
Wk-batsman Hamilton would also score 54 from just 52 balls while also hitting 3 fours and a six as he added some impetus to the Hurricanes innings at the end. Skipper Veerasammy Permaul picked up 2/40 in 10 overs for Guyana, while Romario Shepherd got 2/45 in 9. Gudakesh Motie took 1/35 and Ronsford Beaton 1/54 in 10 overs each.
The Harpy Eagles chased down their target with 15 balls to spare, getting to 248 for 6 thanks to Sherfane Rutherford’s sensational 105 not out from just 71 balls.
The all-rounder came in with Guyana in trouble at 108 for 5, but he bailed them out by smashing 7 fours and 8 monstrous sixes in his match-winning knock that saw him score 105 of the 140 runs they needed when he walked in.
Kemol Savory, who opened the batting, contributed 26 off 46, Tevin Imlach made a brisk 32 from 28, Kevlon Anderson made 32 off 61 as he dropped anchor and supported Rutherford for a while, and Romario Shepherd finished unbeaten on 18 off 25 as Guyana Harpy Eagles took the points.
Kofi James was the best Leewards bowler, taking 3/30 in 10 overs, while Rahkeem Cornwall, Walsh Jr and Alzarri Joseph picked up a wicket apiece.
