Defending champions Sir Arthur Lewis Community College turned the Gros Islet Playing Field into their stage of dominance on Tuesday, obliterating Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School by 241 runs to claim their spot in the final of the 2025 Ministry of Youth Development and Sports Schools’ Under-19 50-Over Boys’ Cricket Tournament.
Winning the toss, SALCC’s batters racked up a monumental 323 runs for the loss of just five wickets in their allocated 40 overs, the third-highest score in the series so far. Leading the charge, Tyler Venner unleashed a storm with an unbeaten 148 off 121 balls, hammering 13 fours and seven sixes for his second century this season.
Yulieski Gustave fueled the inferno with a spectacular 80 not out off 69 balls, lacing it with 10 boundaries and two sixes, the 25th half-century in the tournament. Their sizzling 208-run partnership for the sixth wicket helped set up the immense tally.
Adding fuel to the fire, the tournament-leading scorer, Leon Alexander cracked 32 runs to keep the momentum going, taking his aggregate past 300 in the process.
Despite their valiant effort, LHCSS’s bowlers could only manage flickers against SALCC’s fiery onslaught. Aiden Scholar grabbed 2-44, and ended the competition with 16 scalps. Joel Butcher, Ahlil Cyril, and Aaron St Clair picked up a wicket apiece.
As if the batting rampage wasn’t enough, SALCC’s bowlers ignited their own storm, sending LHCSS crashing to a meager 82 all out in just 15.5 overs. Zhanni Joseph unleashed havoc with an electrifying 5-26, leaving the opposition in tatters with the 10th five-wicket haul for the season. Christian Peter chipped in with economical magic, grabbing 2-3, while Davin Forde kept things tight with 1-17, his 18th victim.
Kaleb Charles managed 22 runs, with Ryan Martial and Bjorn Fanis contributing 12 runs each, the silver linings in a thunderous defeat.
“Coming into the semis, we knew we were up against a strong opponent, one we had already beaten in the group stage,” said SALCC skipper Leon Alexander.
“That gave us confidence, since we were familiar with their players and how they played. The pitch was very hard and flat, perfect for batting, but the pressure was still on.
“We had a rough start, losing Khan [Elock] and Johnathan [Daniel] early, but Tyler and I pulled things back with a solid partnership. I went, but Tyler kept going, and with Yulieski’s help, we got to a strong 300. Then Zhannni ran through them with five wickets, and the other bowlers did their part, picking up a couple. Now, we’re looking to carry that momentum into the final and finish the job,” he added.
With their supremacy reaffirmed, SALCC now awaits their challenger. The second semifinal pits Saint Lucia Sports Academy against Choiseul Secondary School on Wednesday, March 26, at 10 a.m., at the Gros Islet Playing Field.
