THE battle lines have been drawn in the 2018 SPL T20 tournament as the four semifinalists have been decided.
On Thursday 21st June in semifinal No.1, SCCA South Castries Lions will take on Mabouya Valley Renegades.
The following day, it will be CCCU Choiseul Craft Masters versus defending champions Avatar City Blasters in semifinal No.2.
Both matches will bowl off from 7.00 p.m.
On Saturday 23rd, the third place silverware between the two losing semifinalist is scheduled for 4.00 p.m.
Then the Big One, the final, will take place from 8.00 p.m.
It’s anyone’s guess as to which two teams will make it on the home stretch.
Meanwhile, the group stage of the tournament came to an exciting end over the weekend, with four teams booking their tickets into the semifinal round.
On Friday, Choiseul Craft Masters defeated Mabouya Valley Renegades by 107 runs. Batting first, Craft Masters scored a mammoth 216 for 7, with Vince Smith top scoring with 77 runs from 36 balls and Junior Henry 42 off 24 balls.
Chasing 217 for victory, Renegades were dismissed for 109 in 16.4 overs. Rick Smith top scored with 34.
Bowling for Craft masters, Bronte Bess picked up 2 for 12.
On Saturday, Vieux Fort North Raiders kept their semifinal hopes alive with a hard fought victory over the Gros Islet Knights, eliminating the young team from the north in the process. Raiders batted first and scored of 145 for 5 from their allocated 20 overs.
Stand in captain, Al Prince, top scored with 39 off 28 balls.
Bowling for Gros Islet Knights, Mervin Wells bagged 2 for 15 from 4 overs.
Needing 146 for victory, GIK looked in control after a 5th wicket partnership between captain Dalton Polius 49 and Mervin Wells 40, but Raiders came roaring back, capturing the last 6 wickets for only 20 runs, with GIK at one point cruising at 114 for 4.
GIK managed to get to 134 all out from 19.3 overs, a narrow 11 run victory to Vieux Fort North Raiders.
South Castries Lions, who had already qualified, played home team Soufriere Stumpers, who needed nothing less than a victory to go through.
Batting first, the Lions made 152 for 9 from their 20 overs, despite having been 124 for 1 after 15.2 overs. Captain Johnson Charles top scored with 80, and was ably supported by Vice-captain Dwight Thomas with 44.
Bowling for Soufriere Stumpers, all-rounder Sanjay Pamphile took 4 for 23 from 4 overs.
In response, the home team Stumpers was bowled out for 80 in 15.2 overs. Canis Richardson provided the only resistance, with a patient 35 from 29 balls.
Bowling for SCL Sherlan Isidore picked 4 for 21 from 4 overs, and Kester Charlemagne 3 for 5 from 2.2. SCL winning by 72 runs
In Sunday’s first encounter, Vieux Fort North Raiders took on Mabouya Valley Renegades faced off in what was a virtual quarter final, with the winner guaranteed a spot in the semifinal.
Renegades batted first and posted 185 for 3 from their 20 overs. Captain Craig Emmanuel led the charge with 48 and Orey Changoo 46.
In response, despite a valiant knocks of 85 by Awene Edward and 43 by Kim Charlery, Vieux Fort North Raiders fell short by 6 runs, after reaching 179 for 5 from their 20 overs.
Shadrack Descarte and Jaden Elibox both picked up 2 for 27 for the MVR.
In the final game, Choiseul Craft Masters maintained their 100% win record in the group stages with a comfortable 41 run victory over the Gros Islet Knights. Craft Masters batted first, and were again dominant with the bat, reaching 198 for 3 from 20 overs. Jason Simon, who had been dropped for the previous match, made a wonderful return, scoring 75 off just 43 balls, Audy Alexander 44 and Murlan Sammy 36.
In response, despite putting in their best batting performance so far this season, Gros Islet could only manage 157 for 8 from their 20 overs. Mervin Wells, as he had done in the previous matches for his team, fought valiantly with 39 off 19 balls.
For CCM, seamer Shanii Mesmain picked up 2 for 27 from 4 overs.