St. PHILIPSBURG, CMC:

Captain Royston Trocard stroked a match-winning half century for St Maarten to post an upset five-wicket victory over Antigua and Barbuda in their NAGICO Leeward Islands Cricket Association (LICA) one-day match on Sunday.

The left-handed Trocard hit a well measured 64 to steer St Maarten to 178 for five off 40.3 overs in response to Antigua and Barbuda's 177 all out in 44.1 overs.

First defeat

It was the first defeat of the NAGICO series so far this season for Antigua and Barbuda and their first loss to St Maarten in four years.

The result was also a complete reversal of the three-day fixture that ended Saturday with the visitors whipping St Maarten by an innings and 28 runs in a lopsided match.

After choosing to bat, the Antigua and Barbuda captain Gavin Williams led his team with a top-score of 45 off 53 balls with four boundaries.

Orlando Peters blazed 25 off 22 balls with three fours and one six and Juari Edwards made 32 to be the next best contributors for the visitors.

Bowling for St Maarten, the left-arm spinner Cletus Oville bagged three for 17 off six overs and off-spinner Lionel Ritchie captured three for 31 off nine overs to be the chief wicket-takers.

Lerry Baptiste took two for 34 off 9.1 overs.

Opening batsman Trocard then set the tone for his side with a half century that set the stage for the win.

He faced 120 balls for his 64 and struck eight fours and a six.

Leewards Under-19 batsman Moreland LaBlanc contributed a vital 39 off 55 balls with four boundaries and veteran John Eugene finished unbeaten on 19 off 12 balls with four boundaries as St Maarten won handsomely with 9.3 overs to spare.

Off-spinner Larry Joseph, with two for 28 off 10 overs, was the most successful Antigua and Barbuda bowler, while Justin Athanaze (1-27) and Devon Thomas (1-5) shared two wickets.