Gros Islet and Central Castries were unbeaten in the first round of the Sandals Under-19 Cricket Tournament held last weekend at various venues around the island.
The tournament, organized by the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) will see two divisions – the cup and plate, seeking glory.
At the Mindoo Phillip Park (MPP) Central Castries had to dig deep after lunch, and in windy conditions, to defeat the Saint Lucia Sports Academy (SLSA) by 37 runs.
Batting first, Central Castries struggled and was all out for 114 in 25.3 overs. Keril Victor top-scored with 34, Ackeem Auguste and Keygan Arnold both chipped in with 17, J. Justin 10. Extras 19 which included 2 leg-byes, and 17 wides.
(L-R) Central Castries Keril Victor and Ackeem Auguste in action against Saint Lucia Sports Academy. (PHOTO: Anthony De Beauville)
Fall of wickets: 1 for 6 (Desney Gidharry), 2 for 33 (Ephron. Charles), 3 for 56 (Ackeem Auguste), 4 for 79 (Keril Victor), 5 for 80 (Mc Kenny Clarke), 6 for 98 (Keygan Arnold), 7 for 98 (Jaden Elibox), 8 for 104 (Thai Harris), 9 for 112 (T John), 10 for 114 (C Cadette).
Bowling for the SLSA, Kevin Gassie picked 3 for 25, Keon Gaston and Tarrique Edward each took 2 for 17, Stephon Dupre 1 for 13, and Royce Paul 1 for 30.
Needing 115 for victory, the SLSA was undermined by the left-arm orthodox spin season campaigners Keygan Arnold and Jaden Elibox who picked 7 wickets between them and left SLSA searching for answers as they lost wickets at regular intervals and eventually bowled out for 77 in 26.3 overs with Kevin Gassie 17 and Jahil Evans 14 the only batsmen to reach double figures.
Extras, the highest score with 23 made up of 3 leg-byes, 3 no-balls, and 17 wides.
Fall of wickets: 1 for 11 (Royce Paul), 2 for 35 (Noel Leo), 3 for 37 (Jahil Evans), 4 for 41 (Theo Edward), 5 for 43 (Keon Gaston), 6 for 46 (Tarrique Edward), 7 for 72 (Stephon Dupres), 8 for 72 (Kevin Gassie), 9 for 76 (Ashton Alexander), 10 for 77 (Kensly Paul).
Bolwing for Central Castries, Keygan Arnold 5 for 24, Jaden Elibox 2 for 29, Thai Harris 2 for 22, and Mc Kenny Clarke, West Indies hopeful for the 2022 ICC Under 19 World Cup in the Caribbean, who bowled with real pace and hostility from the Marchand Road ended picking up 1 for 9 in 4 overs.
Defending champions Gros Islet A won comfortably over Choiseul by 136 at the Piaye playing field.
Winning the toss and batting first, Gros Islet A made 247 for the loss of 8 wickets in 34 overs at the cut off time for the innings. Denzel Albert top scored with 53 not out, Ryan Goodman 34, Bolton Sayers 33, Jeandell Cyril 15 and 11 each to Lee John and Jehan Boodha.
The wicket takers for Choiseul were, Sky Lafeuille with 2 for 31 in 6 overs, D’ Andre Nestor 2 for 40 in 4 overs and 1 wicket each to Jude Joseph, Stephan Theophane and Neige Eugene.
Chasing 248 for victory, Choiseul was dismissed for 111 in 33.2 overs with D’ Andre Nestor making 21, Shaquan Michelle 20 and Sky Lafeuille 11.
Bowling for Gros Islet, West Indies hopeful for the ICC World Cup in the Caribbean next year Udell Preville took 4 for 18 in 6 overs, Lee John 2 for 18 in 7 overs, Khan Elcock 2 for 21 in 4 overs and 1 wicket each to Jeandell Cyril and Bolton Sayers.
(PHOTO: Anthony De Beauville)
In other scores, Mon Repos defeated South Castries by 108 runs. Mon Repos 202 all out. South Castries 94 all out.
At the La Resource playing field, Babonneau won by 8 wickets over Mabouya Valley which scored 88 all out in 39.1 overs. Babonneau 89 for 2 in 13.2 overs.
In the Plate Division at the Balata playing field, Gros Islet ll won by 17 runs over Vieux Fort North. Scores: Gros Islet 117 all out. Vieux Fort North 100 all out with West Indies hopeful for the ICC Under-19 World Cup, Tryon Theodore top scoring with 40.
At the La Ressource playing field (Dennery), Micoud won by 151 runs over Laborie. Scores: Micoud 211 all out in 27.2 overs. Laborie 60 all out in 10.4 overs.
Meanwhile, on the opening day (Saturday 29th), at the Gros Islet playing field, Gros Islet A started their title defense with a whopping 265 runs against rivals South Castries. Scores in that encounter, Gros Islet 337 for the loss of 5 wickets. In reply South Castries, 72 all out in 22.2 overs.
At the Wenn playing field (Mon Repos), Choiseul beat their host by 6 wickets. Scores: Mon Repos 147 all out in 30.4 overs. Chasing 148 for victory, Choiseul reach their target in 29.4 overs with Sky La Feuille scoring 64 not out.
. At Des Barras (Babonneau), Central Castries was in superb form with the bat scoring a tournament record 446 all out in 49.2 overs to defeat Babonneau by a massive 295 runs. Kenric Victor of Central Castries scored the first century of the 2021 tournament. He made 116 from 86 deliveries which included 14 fours and 7 sixes. West Indies hopeful for the ICC Under World Cup in the Caribbean Ackeem Auguste made 96 off 48 deliveries.
Needing 447 for victory, Babonneau was bundled out for 151 in 29.4 overs with Stephen Abraham top scoring with 56.
At the La Ressource playing field (Dennery) newcomers Saint Lucia Sports Academy (SLCA) started their campaign with a win, defeating Mabouya Valley by 8 wickets in a low scoring matchup. Scores: Mabouya 87 all out in 29.4 overs with Clemanus S. Jules top scoring with 17, while Chad Martial chipped in with 16.
Requiring 88 for victory, SLSA reach their target for the loss of 2 wickets in 15.4 overs with Tarrique Edward and Noel Leo scoring 23 and 22 respectively.
Also on Saturday, in the Plate Division, Laborie defeated Dennery by 25 runs at the Piaye playing field. Scores: Laborie 88 for the loss of 7 wickets in 16.3 overs with Jordon Emmanuel the main contributor with the bat, making 22 from 20 deliveries.
In reply, Dennery found the target an uphill battle and was only able to score 63 for 6 in 9 overs with M. Vidal 20 and J Rufin 18.
It must be noted, both teams were short, Dennery only had 7 players and Laborie 8 players.
Gros Islet ll emulated their Group A counterparts defeating newcomers Micoud by 141 runs at the Balata playing field. Gros Islet ll batting first scored 243 for 9 in their allocated overs. Jewelle Simon top scored with 55, he was ably assisted by Tori Hippolyte 37 and Renee Jones 30 not out and Taric Coureur 27.
Micoud in reply 102 all out in 22 overs with Garette Alphonse 27, Daren Sammy Jr 11 and Quan Joseph 10 were the only batsmen to reach double figures.
Bowling for Gros Islet, leg spinner Isaiah Jones (captain) picked up a career best 6 wickets, he was well supported by Renee Jones with 3 wickets and 1 wicket to Darvin Forde.
