The Saint Lucia / Dominica Tapeball Cricket Series concluded in grand style last Sunday at the Jolly John Playing Field in Kalinago Territory, Dominica, with Saint Lucia winning the T10 Blast. Five thrilling encounters took place on the day, capping off an exciting week of cricket. The Saint Lucia Youth team held their nerve to lift the T10 trophy, holding off Dominica’s Dynamic Stars in a high-octane final.
Dynamic Stars won against Saint Lucia Veterans B in the first match, while Saint Lucia Youth easily defeated Kalinago Veterans in the second. This win sent Saint Lucia Youth straight to the final. Kalinago Youth won the third match, but in the semifinal, Dynamic Stars beat Kalinago Youth to reach the final.
Batting first in a final shortened to seven overs, the Saint Lucia Youth team scored an impressive 124-5. Dynamic Stars reached 75 after eight overs and 100 after the second-to-last over. However, Saint Lucia stayed focused in the last six balls to secure a memorable 15-run win and claim the championship.
Earlier in the week, on Thursday, the Saint Lucia national team bounced back from two early losses to earn a six-wicket consolation win over the Kalinago Nationals in a full 20-over match. The home team scored 161-8, with Neo Davis making 46 and Frederick Paris adding 32. For Saint Lucia, Magaran Shoulette and Atanus Alberson each took two wickets.
The visitors made light work of the chase, cruising to 162-4 in 16.3 overs anchored by a man-of-the-match knock from Alvin Lafeuille, who stroked 74. Jason Simon chipped in with 30, and Orey Changoo made 24, surviving two wickets from Jason Paris and one wicket each from Keenan Paris and Abbisha Etienne.
During the closing ceremony, trophies were awarded in several divisions. Kalinago Youth won the T20 youth championship, Saint Lucia Veterans A took the T20 veterans title, Saint Lucia Mixed Team claimed the invitational trophy, and Saint Lucia Veterans B earned the Division 2 prize.
Jason Simon led the youth run charts, while Sean Auguste was the top scorer among the veterans. In the youth division, Keenan Paris of Dominica took the most wickets, and Glen Eurysthee was the best bowler among the veterans. Orey Changoo of Saint Lucia earned the best wicketkeeper award in the youth division, and Abbot Lucien of Dominica won it in the veterans. Neo Davis was named youth MVP, and Glen Eurysthee received the veterans MVP award.
