AFTER eight weeks of entertaining cricket played at four venues around the island, the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association Inter District Under-19 Cricket Tournament, dubbed the “Sandals Cup” and sponsored by the Sandals Group, is now on the home stretch.
Weather permitting, and with a crowd expected to take in the action, the grand final is tomorrow between Gros Islet and Babonneau at the Mindoo Phillip Park from 10.00am.
The two teams last played each other in the preliminary round of the tournament where Gros Islet emerged victorious. Scores in the match – Gros Islet 292 all out in 34.2 overs, Babonneau in reply 96 all out in 36.5 overs.Gros Islet winning by mammoth 196 runs.
Based on their performances thus far in the tournament, Gros Islet will start as favourite, behind the leadership qualities of West Indies Under-19 opening batsman, 17 year old Kimani Melius and head coach Alton Crafton.
It was only last weekend at the same venue, Melius blasted his way to his 27th career hundred in the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association senior men’s trials to select Saint Lucia team for the upcoming Windward Islands 50 over tournament scheduled for Saint Lucia. Melius scored 155 off 119 balls.
Gros Islet decked in the baby blue top and white trousers also features the likes of West Indies Under-16 players Dane Edward (opening batsman), Lee Solomon and Garvin Serieux Jr (top order batmen), but that’s not all, Entrepot Secondary School captain Tyrel Chicot (all-rounder) and St. Mary’s College captain Simeon Gerson (left arm orthodox spinner), also in the lineup are Jaden Boodha, UdelPreville, Kymani Sexius and Rene Montoute.
Missing out on the showpiece for Gros Islet will be Stavon Gabriel; Gabriel sustained a shoulder injury while fielding in the quarterfinal match against Vieux Fort.
This is truly a talented outfit; however Babonneau decked in their gold top and white trousers is not without talent of their own. Captain Kwane Henry is in himself a talented opening batsman under the watchful of head coach John Eugene. Henry is ably supported by Saint Lucia and Windward Islands Under-15 Captain AckeemAuguste, Ephron Charles and Ryan Goodman who are also Windward Islands Under-15 players, providing support along with top order batsman Brandt Jean.
Right arm seamer Craig Elisee will lead the bowling charge along with Windward Island Under-15 player Amari Venner (right arm spinner), the two have been amazing all season long. They will be ably supported by Nyheem Rosemond, Zayee Antoine and Caleb Thomas.
Meanwhile, Babonneau defeated South Castries by 50 runs in the first semifinal played on Saturday 12th May at the Gros Islet playing field.
Batting first, Babonneau scored 247 all-out in 41.5 overs. Akeem Auguste top scoring with 49, Quain Henry 42, Caleb Thomas 34 and Zayee Antoine 25, the main contributors with the bat.
Bowling for South Castries, LearieAuguste picked up 2 for 46, Noelle Leo bagged 2 for 41, and Tarrick Edward took 2 for 60.
Needing 248 for victory, South Castries made heavy weather only to be bowled out for 197.
Learie Auguste continued his god run on form following his 2 for 46 with the ball, top scored with 67, while Enerson Charles chipped in with 27.
On Sunday, in semifinal number two, Gros Islet under- 19’s booked their ticket into the finals of after completing a 22 run victory over rivals Central Castries at the Gros Islet playing field.
The home team Gros Islet batting first was dismissed for 174 in 38 overs with Jard Goodman top scoring with 40, Lee Solomon 26, Simeon Gerson 23 not out, Tyrel Chicot 19, Dominic Auguste 12 and UdelPreville 10.
Bowling for Central Castries, Keygan Arnold picked up 4 for 24 in 8 overs, Rahym Joseph 4 for 31 in 10 overs and Sanjay Hayle 2 for 41 in 7 overs.
Requiring 175 for victory, Central Castries despite a last wicket partnership between Kyle Adonis and Jeremiah Charles which threatened to scrape an unlikely win, was dismissed for 152 in 35.1 overs.
Captain Johnnel Eugene led the scoring with 36, Steven Mitchel 20, Chaz Cepal and Kyle Adonis made 18 each and Mateo Boulogne 11.
Bowling for Gros Islet, Dane Edward bagged 5 for 27 in 7.1 overs, Simon Gerson 3 for 44 in 8 overs and 1 wicket each to Rene Montoute and Garvin Serieux.
