Team Soufriere is the 2019 Saint Lucia National Cricket Association 50 Overs Cricket champion. The men from Sulphur City defeated South Castries by 6 wickets.
Batting first South Castries recovered from 36 for 6 to post 135 in 28 overs. Daren Sammy batting at No. 9 hit the top score of 33, while Xavier Gabriel chipped in with 17.
South Castries’ batting was undermined by medium pacer Bradly Tisson who picked up 4 for 19.
Chasing 136 for victory, Soufriere reached 138 for the loss of 4 wickets. Keitha Prosper was Soufriere’s stand out batsman, making good use of his three chances to remain undefeated on 40. Ashley Hippolyte and Xystus Emmanuel also contributed 29 and 27 respectively.
For South Castries, Shervon Leo and Kester Charlemagne bagged two wickets each.
South Castries’ Tonius Simon amassed the most runs in the competition (270) with one century, followed by Daren Sammy with 248 also with one century.
South Castries fast bowler Shervon Leo picked up the most wickets (18) followed by Soufriere’s ShaniiMesmin (14) and South Castries’ Xavier Gabriel (12).
It was not all gloom for South Castries as their females inflicted a 10 wicket win over Gros Islet (who had been undefeated before last weekend) in the last round of matches in the Alicia John T20 Women’s Competition.
Batting first, the Gros Islet ladies were dismissed for 42 in 14 overs. West Indies player Qiana Joseph top scored with 19.
Bowling for South Castries, PhillipaEudovic picked up 4 for 6 and Maria David 3 for 8 (a hat trick) making them the main destroyers.
The opening pair of Nerissa Crafton 15 and Zaida James 14 cantered to 43 for 0 loss in 5 overs.
In an earlier match, the Choiseul ladies had a hard fought 3 wicket win over the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association/National Lotteries Authority Development 11 in a match reduced to 15 overs.
Batting first, Development 11 scored 62 for the loss of 6 wickets in 15 overs. Joanne Regis top scored with 31.
Bowling for Choiseul, Julia Simon took 2 for 15.
Needing 63 for victory, Choiseul reached their target for the loss of 6 wickets in 13 overs. Roylin Cooper 11 not out. Extras 23.
Bowling for SLNCA/NLA 11, Marlene Preville bagged 2 for 13.
Points standings after the preliminary round: Gros Islet – 6 points, Choiseul – 6 points, South Castries – 4 points, Development 11 – 4 points, Laborie – 0 point.
The qualifying stage will be played this weekend at the Mindoo Phillip Park. On Saturday 13th July from 10.00 a.m. Gros Islet plays Choiseul and South Castries takes on the SLNCA/NLA Development 11 at 2.00 p.m.
Sunday 14th, from 10.00 a.m. the Eliminator round, followed by the finals at 2.30 p.m.
Meanwhile, the South Castries Cricket Association 2019 National Lotteries Authority T20 Competition which bowled off yesterday continues today (Tuesday 8th) between Forestierre and South Castries Cricket Association U19s at the Mindoo Phillip Park from 4:30 p.m.
Matches continue tomorrow (Wednesday 10th) and (Thursday 11th) from 4.30 p.m. between Crusaders and John Eugene Academy.
Six teams have confirmed participation in this year’s competition:
Group A – Forestiere (defending champions), SCCA U19 and Millet
Group B – BOSS, Crusaders and John Eugene Academy.