A new champion will be crowned when the finals of the St.Lucia National Cricket Association sponsored Bank of St. Lucia Slog Fest takes place for this coming weekend, Central Castries and Soufriere qualified with wins over Mon Repos and Gros Islet.
A 37 ball innings of 66 by Central Castries batsman Nick Elibox, which included 7 sixes and 2 fours, was enough to see Central Castries through to the final.
Sent in to bat, Central Castries recovered from 76 for the loss of 5 wickets, to 143 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Bowling for Mon Repos Mervin Wells picked up 2 for 14 and former West Indies left arm leg spinner Garey Mathurin bagged 2 for 20.
Needing to score just over 7 runs an over, Mon Repos slipped to 99 for 8 before Walter Emmanuel Jr. stoked 32 from 21 balls in a valiant attempt to snatch victory form Central Castries. However Loic Prosper and Alleyne Prosper picked the remaining two wickets to seal a five run victory for Central Castries. Earlier fast bowler Dillon John had set Mon Repos on the back foot grabbing 3 for 18.
In the first semifinal played on Saturday, Soufriere defeated Gros Islet by 23 runs in a match reduced to 12 overs a side due to a wet outfield. Soufriere scored 129 for 3 with, Tenacy Hippolyte scoring 66 not out, and Ashley Hippolyte 34. Bowling for Gros Islet Dwight Thomas picked up 2 for 37.Gros Islet in reply scored 106 for 8, Ian Crafton got 23, Shelton Arneau 20.