The playoff picture for the Saint Lucia Premier League T20 is set after the final group stage matches were played over the weekend. The fixtures sorted the teams, leaving only four in contention for this year’s SPL Champion title.
The weekend began with an abandoned fixture on Friday night due to an islandwide electrical blackout. The game between Choiseul Craft Masters and Mon Repos Pioneers was ruled a no result, denying both teams vital points in the race for pole position.
On Saturday morning, Soufriere Titans secured their spot in the Final Four by defeating last year’s champions, Gros Islet Knights, by 12 runs. Facepainting for children in the stands added to the family-friendly atmosphere.
The Titans’ victory was achieved off the back of 107 not out scored by Djourn Charles. The middle-order batsman reached that total from just 54 deliveries, smashing 10 fours and eight sixes. Charles’ standout performance led his team to 203 all out. Tarrique Edward finished as the pick of the bowlers for Gros Islet, bagging 3-36.
In reply, the Knights managed only 191. Experienced players like Kimani Melius (23) and Noelle Leo (23) got starts, but only Dillon Douglas, who scored 64, passed 50. Kevin Sinclar’s tight bowling was key in the stop-start chase, finishing with 1-17 from four overs. Shani Maximin was the best bowler with 2-29 from three overs. Soufriere finished the group stage in second place.
In Match 2, Micoud Eagles booked their ticket to the playoffs, simultaneously eliminating neighbours and rivals Mon Repos from playoff contention with a 40-run victory. Batting first, Micoud registered 257, largely due to a phenomenal innings by Dominic Auguste, cut agonisingly short as he batted well for his 99. Auguste, bowled by Cody Lesmond just one run short of his century, struck 10 sixes and six fours. He was largely partnered with Samuel Charles, who also fell short of a milestone, getting out for 45.
Despite a solid start from Sabinus Emmanuel (55) and a brilliant century from Keon Gaston (118), Mon Repos could only amass 217. Ted Jones (3-34) was the standout performer for the Eagles, who now sit in third place in the standings.
Sunday’s early bowl-off was a do-or-die match for Gros Islet Knights, who needed a win to keep their hopes of back-to-back titles alive. They faced the tough task of beating first-placed City Blasters, the only undefeated team so far. In the end, City Blasters showed why they are the team to beat, dominating their northern rivals by eight wickets.
Batting first, the Knights could only muster 103, with four top-order batsmen dismissed without scoring. Had it not been for Captain Kimani Melius’ 38, the total could have easily fallen below triple figures. Amari Goodridge (4-18) and Jaden Elibox (4-20) were the bane of the Knights’ existence.
In reply, City Blasters made light work of the total, chasing it in 6.3 overs off the back of 63 not out by Stephen Naitrum, which included seven sixes and five fours. Tarrique Edward picked up the only two wickets, finishing with 2-43 off two overs.
With Gros Islet defeated, Choiseul Craft Masters knew a win against already-qualified Micoud Eagles would let them leapfrog last year’s champions and secure a Final Four spot. They achieved this by bundling out the Eagles for just 134, led by Bronte Bess’ 3-18 and Dornan Edward’s 3-24.
The Men in Orange chased the total in 8.4 overs. Jason Simon’s 56 off 31 deliveries and Junior Henry’s 50 off 20 deliveries led the team to a seven-wicket victory.
With the group stage over, the playoffs begin. The knockout stages use the Page Playoff System, featuring four matches: Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final. This format gives the top two teams an extra chance to reach the final, while teams finishing 3rd and 4th face sudden elimination.
