THE curtains yesterday came down on the second edition of the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association T10 Blast, with Choiseul Clay Pots and newcomers Micoud Eagles in the final match of the tournament.
That match was played after press time, hence our inability to feature it in today’s sport pages. Nevertheless we will be publishing updates on that match and that of the third place playoffs between South Castries and Mon Repos Stars in subsequent issues of the paper.
Meanwhile, in the first semifinal played Daren Sammy’s decision of inviting the Mon Repos Stars (MRS) to bat first after winning the toss proved to be a favorable one as MRS were restricted to just 80 for the loss of five wickets with Craig Emmanuel top scoring with 34 which included 4 fours and 2 maximums.
The opening pair of Christian Charley and Rohan Lesmond added just two for the first wicket before Charlery was brilliantly caught by Kuston Jules off the bowling of Michael Charlery without scoring after the second delivery of the match.
Lesmond and season campaigner Craig Emmanuel who came in at No. 3 put on 48 runs for the second wicket before Lesmond was bowled by Lance Sammy for 21, (50 for 2 after 5.2 overs).
Sadrack Descartes and Hazel Charlery made 1 and 5 respectively, while Kevin Augustin remained 10 not out.
Bowling for Micoud Eagles, Lance Sammy returned with figures of 3 for 17, while Micheal Charley bagged 2 for 15.
In reply, Micoud Eagles completed the run chase in seven overs at the expense of one wicket.
The opening pair of Shervon Charles who top-scored with 44 from 26 balls hit 4 fours and 3 sixes and Mervin Wells 32 from 16 deliveries which included 2 fours and 2 sixes added added 76 for the first wicket in 6.4 overs before Wells was caught by Sadrack Descartes off the bowling of Craig Emmanuel. Other contribution with the bat came Murlan Sammy, not out 4.
Bowling for Mon Repos Stars, Craig Emmanuel 1 for 18.
In the second semifinal, Choiseul Clay Pots (CCP) can count their blessings, thanks to five catches that went a- begging and at the end made light work of the defending champions, South Castries Lions (SCL) to win by 36 runs.
Batting first CCP scored 114 for the loss of 3 wickets. Like previous matches in the tournament, the opening pair of Junior Henry and Audi Alexander gave CCP the perfect start putting on 30 for the first wicket in 2.4 overs before Henry was bowled by Daniel Baptiste for 18.
Jason Simon who came in at No.3 continued where he left off against Mon Repos Stars on Sunday. Simon, who was in a no-nonsense mood, added 59 with Alexander for the second wicket before Alexander was caught by wicketkeeper Noelle Leo off the bowling of Johnson Charles for 37 from 23 deliveries that included 3 fours and 2 sixes, 89 for 2 in 7.3 overs.
Vince Smith did not trouble the scorers this time around as he was well caught off the glove by Noelle Leo off the bowling of Collinus Callendar without scoring, 91 for 3 in 8.2 overs.
With 1.4 overs remaining, Simon and Valange St. Ange put on a further 21. Final score 114 for 3 with Jason Simon not out 43 from 24 deliveries that included 4 exquisite fours and 3 spanking sixes, and Valange St. Ange not out 5.
Bowling for SCL, Johnson Charles 1 for 11, Collinus Callendar 1 for 14 and Daniel Baptiste 1 for 18.
In reply, SCL found the total an uphill battle scoring 78 for the loss of 9 wickets in their 10 overs with Xavier Gabriel top scoring with 23, Johnson Charles, the third batsman out ,made 12 and Nixon Edmund 13 the main contributors with the bat.
Bowling for Choiseul Clay Pots, Valange St. Ange 2 for 12, Vince Smith 2 for 12, Clem St. Rose 2 for 15, Audy Alexander 1 for 13 and Alvinaus Simon 1 for 22.
Following the encounter, this reporter spoke to the Head Coach for the South Castries Lions team, Brian Calixte.
Said Calixte: “Having lost five of our better players this year has weakened the team significantly, but I must credit this current team for at least reaching the semifinals. However, in any sport the bench must be given the opportunity to feature and grow. As a result, our replacement players will learn from this year’s experience and come back better. We are Lions and will rise from the ashes.
“For SCL, it was a very disappointing performance. Our bowlers bowled too short plus we dropped some crucial catches at critical points in the game.”
