THE excitement and hard hitting continued in the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association Inter District-sponsored Sandals Cup Under-19 tournament this past weekend with wins for Gros Islet, South Castries, Choiseul and Mon Repos.
The main highlight in this round was another entertaining innings from Gros Islet and West Indies U-19 opening batsman Kimani Melius (63 not out), Kwesi Hobson 60 – Mon Repos, Ked Cadet 57 – Anse la Raye and Jelani Cupid 53 – South Castries. It was another fine piece of bowling from Simeon Gerson (Gros Islet) picking up his second 5-wicket haul 5 -15; and Nowelle Leo (South Castries) 5 for 35.
At the Gros Islet playing field, the home team continued their winning ways as they outplayed Central Castries in all facets of the game to beat their city rivals by 10 wickets.
In a match reduced to 40 overs a side due to a late start caused by a few early morning showers, Central Castries, batting first after being asked to take first knock, were bowled out for 83 in 20.5 overs with opening batsman Mateo Boulange 34 that included 5 fours and 2 sixes, Captain Johnnel Eugene 13 and Rahym Joseph 11, the only batsmen to reach double figures.
Failing to trouble the scorers were Keygan Arnold caught by Kimani Melius and bowled by Simeon Gerson for 0, Royce Paul caught by Simeon Gerson and bowled by UdellPreville for 0, Jaden Elibox bowled by Simeon Gerson for 0 and Sanjay Hayle caught by Kimani Sexius and bowled Simeon Gerson for 0.
For the second consecutive match in the tournament, Windward Islands Under -17 player, left arm orthodox spinner Simeon Gerson mesmorized the opposition as he bagged 5 for 15 in 8 overs, following his 5 wicket haul for 31 runs in the previous match against Babonneau at the same venue.
Rene Montoute, who opened the bowling from the community centre road end, picked up 3 for 44 in 8 overs and UdelPreville 2 for 6 in 2.5 overs.
Chasing a victory target of 84 with plenty of time left before the 2:00 p.m. cut-off point for the lunch break, Gros Islet, led by an unbeaten half-century from West Indies Under-19 opening batsman Kimani Melius, easily got to their target, finishing on 87 without loss in 5.3 overs.
The 17-year-old Melius smashed 63 not out in 24 balls, which included 11 spanking fours and 2 towering sixes. He was pretty severe on right arm fast bowler Sanjay Hayle, hitting him for four consecutive fours in his first over. Keygan Arnold also came for some smashing in the third over, as he was hit for three fours and one six. Rahym Joseph was not spared, as he was struck for 13 in his first over, which included 3 fours.
Gros Islet raced to 50 without loss in 3.2 overs with Melius on 40 and Edward on 7.
Melius soon posted his 50 from 20 deliveries, which included 8 fours and two sixes.
Interestingly, at the other end of the pitch, opening batsman for Gros Islet and Windward Islands Under -19s Dane Edward was just a spectator as he remained on 13 not out, which included one four and one six from 8 deliveries.
In other matches played at the weekend, there were wins for South Castries, Choiseul and Dennery.
At the Mindoo Phillip Park, South Castries defeated Anse la Raye by 55 runs.
Batting first, South Castries scored 225, Jelani Cupid top-scoring with 53, AlvinusCallendar 36, and Emmerson Charles 21,
Chasing 226 for victory, Anse la Raye could only manage 170, with Ked Cadet 57 and Lesroy Jaden 46 as the main contributors with the bat.
Bowling for South Castries, Nowelle Leo picked up 5 for 35.
At Phillip Marcellin Ground, Choiseul defeated Vieux Fort by 1 wicket in a nail-biting encounter.
Batting first, Vieux Fort scored 206 with Germain Hardin falling one short of his half century, scoring 49.
Choiseul in reply reached their target for the loss of 9 wickets – 207.
At the Dennery Cricket Ground, Mon Repos defeated Mabouya Valley by 6 wickets. Batting first Mabouya Valley scored 166, Kwesi Hobson top-scoring with 60 and Jean Neil Charles 30.
Bowling for Mon Repos, Evan Alexander took 4 for 34.
Needing 167 for victory, Mon Repos reached their target for the loss of 4 wickets, JeannickSerieux 46, Evan Alexander 42 and Keon Gaston 30.
Bowling for Mabouya Valley, NeanDeterville picked up 2 for 33.
