GROS islet Under – 19 cricketers are the 2018 Saint Lucia Cricket Association / Sandals Under – 19 Cup Cricket Rama champions.
The boys from the north of the island defeated Central Castries by 26 runs in the finals as the tournament officially bowled-off on Sunday 11 March at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.
The turnout can best be described as ‘poorly attended’ despite a number of national youth players being on show.
The highlight of the day saw the official cheque handing-over ceremony and brief remarks by Sandals General Manager Winston Anderson, a breath-taking 51 from 14 deliveries by West Indies Under – 19 opening batsman Kimani Melius (Gros Islet), a hat-trick by Sanjay Hayle, 3 for 2 (Central Castries), a magnificent 41 from Johnnel Eugene (Central Castries) as eight out 10 district teams participated in a four-overs preliminary-round and five-overs knockout final tournament.
Just ahead of the start of play Mr Anderson aimed to hit the first ball of the tournament bowled by SLNCA 1st Vice President Shaun Alcindor out of the DSCB at which he was unsuccessful.
On the pitch, in game 1, Gros Islet (38 for 4) defeated Babonneau (35 for 3) by 3 runs.
Game 2, Mon Repos (15 for 2) lost to Vieux Fort North (18 for 1).
Game 3, Anse la Raye (with 17 for 7 in 4 overs and tall right arm fast bowler Sanjay Hayle picking up a 3 for 2 hat trick) beat Central Castries (15 for 0) in 1.2 overs.
Game 4, Choiseul (22 for 4 in 4 overs) lost to South Castries (26 for 1 in 3.2 overs).
Semifinal 1, Gros Islet (67 for 1, with Dane Edward 35 and Jade Goodman 20 not out) beat Vieux Fort North (54 for 2 with Jermaine Harding 10, R. Joseph not 14 and J. Dugaillard not out 11). Gros Islet Won by 13 runs.
Semifinal 2, Central Castries (65 for 1 with Keygan Arnold 37, Raheem Joseph not out 14, Johnnel Eugene not out 13) beat South Castries (in reply 43 for 2, J Leo not out 10, J. Samuel not out 17). Bowling for Central Castries Raheem Joseph took 1 for 7.
In the most anticipated final between rivals Gros Islet and Central Castries, batting first Gros Islet scored 82 for 2 with West Indies Under -19 opening batsman Kimani Melius scoring a blistering 50 that included 7 towering sixes and 1 four.
Melius was severe on national youth cricketer Jayden Elibox when he scored 19 in his over that included 3 sixes, Garvin Serieux 10 not out and Dane Edward 11.
Bowling for Central Castries, Keygan Arnold 1 for 4 and Raheem Joseph 1 for 17.
Chasing 83 for victory in their allotted 5 overs, Central Castries could only muster 56 with National and Windward Islands captain Johnnel Eugene scoring 41 that included five sixes before he was out caught by wicketkeeper Garvin Serieux off the bowling of Dane Edward.
Eugene was severe on Stavon Gabriel in the fourth over, scoring 19 runs a little too late as the run rate kept climbing. In the final over, Central Castries needed 36 to win.
Raheem Joseph did not trouble the scorers he made 0, the inform Keygan Arnold did not get much of the strike as he remained on 8 not out, likewise Mateo Boulogne.
Bowling for Gros Islet, Dane Edward picked up 2 for 9.
Matches in the 50-over segment of the tournament bowls off this coming Saturday at venues around the island.
