The SCCA South Castries Lions have secured their place in the Saint Lucia Premier League T20 final after an 11-run victory over Ackelles City Blasters on Thursday night at the Gros Islet Playing Field, powered by a commanding performance from Larry Edward.
The win avenged their six-wicket defeat to the Blasters earlier in the season.
Opting to field after winning the toss, City Blasters restricted the Lions to 181-6 in their 20 overs, a total that had seemed unlikely for much of the innings. The Lions were 96-4 after 12 overs and only 133-6 after 17, before Edward exploded into action.
The 30-year-old former Windward Islands player, who had been on 10 off 10 balls, smashed Tyler Venner for three sixes and a four in the 18th over, then plundered 10 runs off Stephen Naitram in the next. Tyler Sookwa’s final over began with five wides, and Edward hammered the next ball for six, finishing unbeaten on 50 from just 24 deliveries.
Earlier, Kensley Paul (42 off 34) provided a solid foundation, supported by Malcolm Monrose (29) and Kester Charlemagne (26), though the innings lost momentum midway. Jaden Elibox (3-28) was the pick of the Blasters’ bowlers, while Dillan John (2-18) kept things tight.
Chasing 182, the Blasters started strongly despite losing Jamaal James early. By the 10th over, Stephen Naitram (44) and Vernilius Gabriel (43) had them cruising at 100-1. But Edward (3-28) struck back, removing Naitram for 51 (28 balls) before U-19 talent Zinakki Louis (2-23) dismissed Gabriel (51) and Stephen Abraham (0) in the 13th over, leaving the Blasters at 123-4.
Despite late resistance, the required rate (8.94 by the 16th over) proved too steep as wickets tumbled, with the Blasters bowled out for 170 in 19.2 overs. Charlemagne (2-21) wrapped up the tail.
The City Blasters still have a shot at redemption as they’ll face the winner of the Eliminator (Choiseul Craft Masters vs Gros Islet Knights) for a place in the final, where the South Castries Lions await.
