Defending champions Gros Islet are into the final of the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) Premier League Two-Day tournament.
They defeated South Castries by 10 wickets over the weekend at Mindoo Phillip Park, thanks to the batting of captain Jard Goodman and the bowling of young Daniel Lorde.
Scores: South Castries 140 and 146, Gros Islet 210 and 78-0.
South Castries won the toss and opted to bat first. A swashbuckling half-century from Kester Charlemagne got his team out of dire straits at 70-7, doubling the score for the last three wickets. Charlemagne added 26 with Imbert Lorde and then dominated a 45-run stand with Uriyah Charlemagne.
Kester Charlemagne was dismissed for 57 off 43 balls, with four fours and six sixes. Five other players got into double figures, but none got more than 18.
Fittingly, Kester’s wicket was taken by off-spinner Lorde, the fifth of six eventual victims for the 15-year-old Castries Comprehensive Secondary School student, who hails from Assou Canal. Lorde bowled 11.3 overs and took 6-44, Bjorn Fanis took 2-11 from five overs, and Jeandell Cyril and Leon Alexander had one each.
The Gros Islet reply was emphatic, with Goodman leading from the front. Goodman’s 107 off 89 deliveries comprised 10 fours and five sixes. Despite losing his first three partners cheaply, he kept building the score quickly and eventually found a willing collaborator in Khanil Nelson. The two added 51 for the fourth wicket to take the score to 134-4, before Nelson was out for 26.
Lorde’s cameo of 19 at number seven included two fours and a six before he became the first of Denroy Papin’s three wickets. Kester Charlemagne also took three wickets and Dhruv Lahkhan two.
The second innings was not much better for South Castries. Ephron Charles hit exactly 50, and Charlemagne made 45. Fanis captured 5-41 and Alexander 3-31 to give Gros Islet a target of 78 for victory. Goodman hit 48 from 47 balls, with six fours and three sixes, to steer them home.
“Our approach to this year’s tournament has remained the same as over the past three or four years,” said Goodman. “Regardless of the tournament and the format, we just ensure to back our skills, abilities and training.
“As a younger unit, there are a lot of expectations on our shoulders to do well, especially as defending champions. And we go out every day to live up to these expectations. So far, we have been able to dominate the tournament, and our goal is to take home the trophy again this year.
“As a captain, my goal is always to lead by example and inspire the group to believe in themselves. I am happy that I have been able to do so thus far and also contribute towards the team’s success with my personal performances.”
The title decider will feature Gros Islet against the winner of this coming weekend’s second semifinal between Central Castries and Babonneau.
