PHILIPSBURG, St Maarten, Oct 18, CMC – Antigua and Barbuda got an attacking half-century from Orlando Peters and thumped St Maarten by six wickets on Sunday to collect their second consecutive NAGICO Leeward Islands limited overs title.

Electing to bat at Caribe Lumber Ballpark, the home team St Maarten scored 227 for eight off 50 overs and Antigua and Barbuda replied with 231 for four off 44.4 overs to claim the crown for the sixth time in seven years.

Anil Persaud top-scored for the home side with 54 off 89 balls, including six boundaries.

Former St Lucia and Windward Islands veteran John Eugene stroked 46 off 72 balls, while Sherwin Peters contributed 29 with four boundaries.

Leeward Islands’ spinners Justin Athanaze and Anthony Martin were among the chief wicket-takers for the champions – off-spinner Athanaze claiming three for 46 and leg-spinner Martin, two for 38.

Medium pacer Wilden Cornwall, whose outstanding all-round performance on Saturday had led the Antiguans to a narrow one-wicket victory over Nevis in the second semi-final, picked up two for 48.

When Antigua and Barbuda replied, Peters stroked 83 with eight fours and one six and Gavin Williams also posted a crucial 81-ball 67, laced with eight fours.

Mali Richards scored 26 with three boundaries while Eugene (2-36) led St Maarten’s bowling.

Antigua and Barbuda have won the limited overs crown every year since the NAGICO sponsorship, with the exception of 2007 when St Kitts won.

They claimed the first prize of EC$7,000 (US$2,671) while St Maarten settled for the runners-up purse of EC$3,000 (US$1,145).

Antigua and Barbuda captain Wilden Cornwall with NAGICO Trophy, with CEO of NAGICO Imran Mc Sood Amjad