The second weekend of the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNC) Super 50 Men’s tournament produced six half-centuries and two five-wicket hauls, whilst the playoff picture began to come into sharper focus. Between Saturday and Sunday, six games were played at three venues.
Prime Minister’s T20 Cup champions Babonneau swept Group A, beating Dennery by 78 runs at Mindoo Phillip Park, and Choiseul by eight wickets at La Fargue Playing Field. On Saturday, led by 66 from Shervon Joseph and an even 50 from Qwaine Henry, Babonneau posted a commanding 269 for 7 against Dennery, who were bowled out for 191 despite Kernan Henry’s spirited 63.
Babonneau also enjoyed Sunday success after Yunieski Gustave dismantled Choiseul’s batting order with 5-26 to restrict them to 128. Caleb Thomas (34) and captain Qwaine Henry (31 not out) ensured an untroubled chase in 17.1 overs.
In contrast, Choiseul slumped to their second loss in as many matches (0-2), leaving their qualification hopes hanging by a thread behind unbeaten table-toppers Babonneau (2-0), Micoud (1-1), and Dennery (0-1).
In Group B, South Castries collected their first win of the campaign, crushing Vieux Fort by 10 wickets at La Fargue. Put in to bat, Vieux Fort were held to just 70 runs in 15.4 overs. Former Windward Islands youth spinner Simeon Gerson took 3-14, alongside two wickets apiece from Daniel Jn Baptise and Kenrick James. Ephron Charles smashed 53 for South Castries, who needed only 20 legal deliveries to reach 72 without loss.
On Sunday at Mindoo Phillip Park, South Castries were poised for another result against Soufriere before adverse weather intervened. Kervel Prosper took 4-27 to dismiss South Castries for 164, but Aaron Joseph grabbed 4-31 to leave Soufriere reeling at 81-9 in the 24th over when persistent rain forced a premature end.
Following the weekend, Gros Islet remain clear at the summit with two wins (2-0), South Castries sit on a 1-1 record with one no-result, Soufriere also hold a 1-1 record with one no-result, and Vieux Fort linger at the bottom after suffering their second loss (0-2).
Group C saw major moves at Wenn Playing Field. Mon Repos opened their tournament with a commanding eight-wicket win over Desruisseaux. Shawnil Edward took 3-16 and Garvin Serieux 3-15 to restrict Desruisseaux to 115, despite a valiant 53 from Sulei Charlemagne. Cody Lesmond stroked an unbeaten 37 to guide Mon Repos home in 9.3 overs.
On Sunday, Central Castries marked their tournament debut with a resounding 107-run win over Mabouya Valley. Jamaal James made 49 and Theo Edward 43 to help Central to 240 all out, despite a five-wicket haul from Chad Polius, 5-62. Mabouya were bowled out for 133 in 25.2 overs as Tyler Sookwa claimed 3-17, neutralizing a fighting 68 from Quintus Abbot.
Central Castries (1-0) and Mon Repos (1-0) earned their first victories to share top spot, while Mabouya Valley took their first defeat to move to 1-1, and Desruisseaux suffered their second successive loss to remain winless at 0-2.
The preliminaries conclude this coming weekend. Central Castries will play Desruisseaux at Mindoo Phillip Park, Vieux Fort face Gros Islet at the Francis Baba Lastic Grounds, Micoud come up against Dennery and Mabouya meet Mon Repos at Wenn, and Dennery will clash with Choiseul at La Fargue.
