Babonneau edged out Choiseul by one wicket in a nail-biting final to secure back-to-back victories in this year’s PM Cup tournament.
The match, held at Mindoo Phillip Park (MPP) on Saturday, was a thrilling finale that featured a clash between the season’s top two contenders, played in front of a boisterous crowd predominantly supporting Choiseul.
It all came down to the last ball, mirroring last year’s dramatic finish. In a low-scoring encounter, the Babonneau team showcased resilience and skill when it mattered most.
Batting first, Choiseul started strong, scoring over 10 runs per over. However, the introduction of Sacchin Cepal proved crucial, halting their momentum from 56 for no loss in the 5th over to 85 for 4 by the 10th.
Choiseul’s innings was led by Jason Simon’s explosive 41 runs, while Bronte Bess contributed 18. The outstanding performance from Sacchin Cepal, who claimed 4 wickets for just 18 runs, turned the tide in Babonneau’s favor and gave them a fighting chance at the title.
The middle-over magic continued with Babonneau’s spin attack, as Larry Edward (2-16) and Yunieski Gustave (2-19) applied further pressure, restricting Choiseul to a seemingly modest total of 137-9.
In response, Babonneau faced early setbacks, losing experienced openers Dane Edward and Johnnel Eugene during the power-play. The middle overs were cautious as the team sought to regroup after the initial losses, sitting at 59-2 after 10 overs with 78 runs needed from the remaining 60 deliveries.
However, a few powerful strikes shifted the momentum. Choiseul’s captain, Kuston Jules, was a standout bowler, claiming six wickets in just four overs for 27 runs.
Despite the pressure created by run-outs and a flurry of wickets, the match remained tense as Babonneau battled on.
In the last over, defending six runs, Jules started strong by taking two wickets with his first two deliveries. The subsequent balls resulted in a wide, a dot ball, two runs, and one run, leaving Babonneau needing just two runs off the final ball.
In a moment of heroism, McKay Brigitte, who had struggled throughout the innings, connected when it mattered most, hitting the ball down to third man. A misfield allowed him and his partner to complete two runs, securing a thrilling victory by just one wicket.
The celebration lasted long into the night for Babonneau as they revelled in their back-to-back titles.
Post-match, head coach Jervaughn Charles reflected on the emotional toll the match took on him and praised Choiseul for their hard-fought effort. “It’s just a nerve-wracking, emotional rollercoaster for us as Babonneau,” he stated. “What we do is fight until the very last ball, and that has worked for us two years in a row. I want to congratulate my team, from the 11 players to those supporting from the side-lines.”
Charles captured the essence of the victory, saying, “It’s an amazing feeling to battle for your win. It wasn’t an easy win, and I tell all players to keep their heads up; they have nothing to be ashamed of.”
During the post-match ceremony, several standout performers were acknowledged:
– Finals MVP: Sacchin Cepal
– Most Runs: Stephen Naitram (359 runs)
– Most Wickets: Dillan John (14 wickets)
– Tournament MVP: Dane Edward
Congratulations to Babonneau on their remarkable achievement!