DEFENDING champions Gros Islet registered two commanding victories over the weekend as the St. Lucia National Cricket Association Inter District Under – 19 Cricket tournament bowled off.
On Saturday, at the Gros Islet Playing Field, Gros Islet led by a 5 wicket haul from Simeon Gerson completed a comfortable 8 wicket victory over Central Castries
Batting first, Central Castries never recovered after losing wickets off the first two balls of the match and were bowled out for 78 in 23 overs with Joshua Mann making 17 and Marlon Remy 14.
For Gros Islet, the most successful bowler was Simeon Gerson who picked up 5 for 23 in 7 overs. Good support also came from Christopher Albert with 3 for 9 in 5 overs and Selwyn Boyce 2 for 18 in 7 overs.
Gros Islet easily got to the target finishing on 84 for 2 in 14 overs, with skipper Vernillius Gabriel and Selwyn Boyce ending unbeaten on 38 and 20 respectively. KimaniMelius also contributed 17.
For Central Castries the wicket takers were Serge Clarke and Joshua Mann with one wicket each.
Meanwhile, on Sunday at the same venue, Gros Islet led by a century from Selwyn Boyce and a clinical team bowling display, completed a massive 279 run victory over Anse la Raye.
Gros Islet batting first made 324 for 7 in their allotted 38 overs with Selwyn Boyce leading the way with a magnificent knock of 122. His chanceless innings comprised 11 fours and 4 sixes. Other useful scores came from Lee Solomon with 37, KimaniMelius 32, Vernillius Gabriel 29 and Nyhymn Terrance 20.
Bowling for Anse la Raye, Eden Joseph had 3 for 93 and Raphael Henry 2 for 48 in 9 overs.
In reply, Anse la Raye was skidded out for 45 in 12 overs, with Byron Menville 19 and Raphael Henry 11, the only batsmen to reach double figures.
For Gros Islet, the wicket takers were Lee Solomon with 3 for 9 in 4 overs, Christopher Albert 3 for 24 in 4 overs, Simeon Gerson 2 for 12 in 2 overs and Millan David 1 for 0 in 2 overs.
Meanwhile, also at the weekend Soufriere Under-19 was scheduled to play two games. The first game against Vieux-Fort North resulted in a default victory for Soufriere as Vieux-Fort North failed to show up. The second game on Sunday, Soufriere defeated Choiseul by 37 runs.
Scores in the encounter – Soufriere batting first 148,Choisuel 111 all out Joseph 32 runs.