The highly anticipated finals of the Massy United Insurance Under-19 Cricket Tournament in collaboration with the Department of Youth Development and Sports and Massy Stores will take place tomorrow (Friday 5th April 2019) at the Gros Islet playing Field from 9.30 a.m. First, on the pitch, Micoud Secondary school will face off against St. Mary’s College.
This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the partnership between the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports and Massy United Insurance.
The two teams made it to the final with wins over Corinth Secondary and Sir Arthur Lewis Community College respectively.
In semifinal action, St. Mary’s College recorded 144 in 27.1 overs; captain Ackeem Auguste top scoring with 51. Other useful scores for the Samarians came from Sherqwayne Prudent (24), Desne Gidharry (17) and Zidane Arthur (15).
The main wicket takers for SALCC were Craig Elisee with 3 for 15, Simeon Gerson with 3 for 30 and Kyle Adonis with 2 for 25.
Chasing 145 for victory, the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College was bowled out for 128 in 40.2 overs with Chaz Cepal and Simeon Gerson top scoring with 27 each and Rashad Gaston chipping in 13.
Doing the damage for SMC were Amari Venner (4 for 20), Sherqwayne Prudent (3 for 20) and Ackeem Auguste (2 for 32).
In the other semifinal matchup, Micoud Secondary defeated Corinth Secondary by 43 runs.
Micoud Secondary batting first was dismissed for 114 in 30 overs with Brent Edward scoring 23, Jelan Justin 11 and Dichege Henry 10.
Bowling for Corinth Secondary, Lee Solomon picked up 4 for 10, Neve Hubert 2 for 16 and Dari Greene 2 for 31.
Needing 115 for a final berth, Corinth Secondary was bowled out for 71 in 23.4 overs with Daniel Edwin scoring 15, the only batsman to reach double figures.
For Micoud Secondary, Nean Deterville bagged 3 for 10, Marklin Estaphane 3 for 19 and Dichege Henry 3 for 22.
The VOICE spoke to St. Mary’s College Head Coach, Tyrone Ghirawoo before going to press on Wednesday.
He said, “SMC is oozing with self-confidence. We have the ability to defend any total and prowess to chase any total, they have excellent situational.”
He added, “Key players, in the bowling department, are Amari Venner and Anslem Gittens (spinners), and Sherqwayne Prudent. Leading the charge amongst the batsmen – Ackeem Auguste, Jehan Boodha, Zidane Arthur, Desne Gidharry and Ryan Goodman.”
The SMC squad reads: Ackeem Auguste (captain), Amari Venner, Zidane Arthur, Sherqwayne President, Jehan Boodha, Steven Abraham, Desne Gidharry, Ryan Goodman, Tarrick Wells, Jervel Dupres, Serrgeo Auguste, Anslem Gittens and Jeandell Cyril.
For Micoud, one cannot count out opening batsman Nean Deterville, it was only this past weekend during the opening game of the Mabouya Valley Youth and Sports Council/ Parliamentary Representative for Dennery North, Shawn Edward T20 Tournament, Deterville top scored with a well-played 30 batting at No.3 for Monarch versus Togetherness Youth.
With ball in hand, all eyes will be on Dichege Henry who in the quarter-final versus Soufriere at the Piaye playing field, picked up a career-best
7 wickets for 21 runs. Will he repeat such performance against SMC tomorrow and give Micoud Secondary a chance of hoisting the Championship trophy which has eluded them for some time now? Only time will tell! Other players to watch from Micoud Secondary include Cody Lesmond, Keon Gaston, Jelan Justin, Marklin Estaphane and Brent Edward.
As part of the Massy United Insurance U19 Schools Cricket competition, the winning team will be awarded $1000 and the championship trophy and the runners up $750. Prizes will also be awarded to the ‘Massy United Star’ of the semi-finals and the finals.
At the end of the tournament, an All-Star Massy United team will be selected.