THE hard-hitting and party-like atmosphere continued last evening at the La Ressource playing field in the 2018 SPLT20 tournament, as Avatar City Blasters took on Mon Repos Pioneers sponsored by the Mon Repos Credit Union.
Upon going to press last evening, there was no official word as to which team won that contest, but as customary, the VOICE will keep you our loyal readers updated with all the latest scores in our Saturday 9th June edition.
On Tuesday night, Gros Islet Knights went down to home team Mabouya Valley Renegades at the La Ressource playing field by 6 wickets.
Batting first, Gros Islet Knights scored 140 all out in 19.2 overs with Kimani Melius top scoring with 49 from 31 balls. Other contributions came from Kurt Edward 26, Alex Antoine 15 and Shervon Joseph 11.
Bowling for Mabouya Valley Renegades, Murgaran Shoulette bagged 5 for 25, Shadrack Descartes 2 for 20 and 1 wicket each for Christian Ange, Craig Emmanuel and Jaden Elibox.
Requiring 141 for victory, Mabouya Valley Renegades reached their target for the loss of four wickets in 18.0 overs, with Shadrack Descartes top-scoring with 64 not-out that included eight 4s and three 6s, MurgaranShoulette not-out 19, while Taryck Gabriel and Orey Changoo chipped in with 10 and 16 runs, respectively.
Bowling for Gros Islet Knights, Devon Eugene picked up 1 for 15, Shelton Arneau took 1 for 26, Alex Antoine bagged 1 for 28 and Shervon Joseph 1 for 29.
Meanwhile, when the tournament officially bowled off this past weekend in Soufriere it did not disappoint, as the defending Champions Avatar City Blasters commenced the second edition of the tournament against the home side, Club Whispers Soufriere Stumpers.
Batting first, City blasters scored 119, having been 8 for 5 at one stage. Stephen Naitram provided some resistance with a gritty 53 from 55 balls. Wayne Prospere was the outstanding bowler for Soufriere, grabbing 3 for 6.
In reply, Soufriere Stumpers never got going — and fell just short of the target, reaching 112 for 8 from their allotted 20 overs, resulting in a 7-run win for the defending Champions.
Fast bowler Dillan John was crucial in the defense of a modest score for Blasters, with figures of 3 for 17 from his allocated 4 overs.
On Day 2, in Saturday’s first match, SCCA South Castries Lions defeated the Mon Repos Credit Union Mon Repos Pioneers by 38 runs, their first-ever win in the SPL T20.
Lions batted first and reached 142 all-out from their allotted 20 overs, thanks in part to a brutal 30 runs in 14 balls from Captain Johnson Charles.
Pioneers’ captain Cyrille Charles was their best bowler with 2 for 26.
In reply, Lions were dominant with the ball, restricting Pioneers to 104 for the loss of 9 wickets from their allotted 20 overs.
CorlinusCalender picked up 3 for 22 for the Lions.
Last year’s runners-up the Choiseul Credit Union Choiseul Craft Masters defeated Bamboo Springs Vieux Fort Raiders by 7 wickets in Saturday’s second game.
Raiders batted first and were bowled-out for 84 from 18.1 overs. Zachary Edmund batted positively to score 40 runs from 31 balls.
Travis Gifford was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 23.
Craft Masters made light work of a small total, reaching 85 for 3 in just 7.1 overs, thanks to a brutal knock of 40 runs from 14 balls by opening batsman Junior Henry.
Sunday also produced two exciting encounters. Mon Repos Pioneers put in an improved performance with the bat, but were unable to prevent a 7-wicket defeat at the hands of the Soufriere Stumpers.
Mon Repos batted first scored 148 for 6, with Cyrille Charles scoring a quick 50 from 22 balls.
Bowling for Soufriere Stumpers, Kemrol Charles took 2 for 24.
In reply, Soufriere got to the target in quick time, reaching 152 for 3 in 15.2 overs. Captain Ashley Hippolyte batted superbly, scoring 57 off 29 balls.
In the final encounter of the weekend, West Indies opening batsman Andre Fletcher lined-up for the South Castries Lions against the Avatar City Blasters, with both teams looking to make it two wins in as many matches.
South Castries batted first and posted the highest score of the weekend, reaching 190 for 6 from their 20 overs. CorlinusCalender top-scored with 42, while Andre Fletcher contributed a quick 36.
Alleyne Prosper bagged 2 for 26 for the City Blasters.
Lions then took the field and delivered a spirited bowling performance to restrict the City Blasters to 102 all out in 14.4 overs. The bowling was led by Captain Johnson Charles with 3 for 26.