Another excellent outing by Jard Goodman guided Gros Islet to a 128-run first-innings win over South Castries at the weekend, handing them the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) Premier League Two-Day Tournament title. The game was played on Saturday and Sunday at the Gros Islet Playing Field.
Goodman stroked 114 to take his tally to 403 in just four matches in this series. The 25-year-old faced 128 deliveries, hitting 15 fours and five sixes for his third century. His performance was especially impressive given that Khan Elcock and Tryel Chicot were both dismissed for one.
Along with Tarrique Edward (23), Goodman moved the score to 68-3. He then partnered with Dominic Auguste (37) to accelerate the scoring, taking the tally to 186-4 in the 45th over. Ryan Goodman’s dismissal for a duck was followed by his brother Jard’s removal in the 46th over.
Royce Paul and Simeon Gerson maintained the momentum, Paul scoring 40 off 54 balls, and Gerson an unbeaten 54 from 65 to take Gros Islet to a total of 337 all out in 72.4 overs. Isaiah Jones added a quickfire 29 from 33 balls.
Daniel Jn Baptiste captured six wickets for South Castries. The tournament’s top bowler, Kester Charlemagne took one wicket, as did Aaron Joseph, Joshua Mann, and Stewart Caldron.
In reply, South Castries were all out 209 in 45.2 overs, as a balanced bowling attack from Gros Islet proved their undoing. Malcolm Monrose and Bolton Sayers were out for duck within the first two overs. Tonius Simon fell to Darvin Forde for 26, with the score on 37. A double strike by Royce Paul saw the backs of Kester Charlemagne and Jaylan Chandler (for duck) with the score on 70.
Collinus Callendar fell for 14, and Joshua Mann for 19. Kensely Paul, who opened the innings for South Castries, finally went for 45, after a 54-run partnership with Stewart Caldron. Caldron went shortly thereafter for 33, and Daniel Jn Baptiste finally went for 12.
Isaiah Jones had a remarkable 3-24 in just 4.2 overs. Royce Paul finished with 3-51 in 11 overs. Darvin Forde got 2-24 in six overs, whilst Tarrique Edward and Tyrel Chicot took one each.
The first domestic red-ball competition since the 2020 league was curtailed due to the pandemic, the 2024-2025 Premier League started in September. Gros Islet, undefeated champions, posted the highest total in the known history of the competition, 600-7 declared against Desruisseaux.
