Two sparkling centuries highlighted the final weekend of preliminary matches in the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) Men’s Super 50 Tournament. Gros Islet and Micoud delivered destructive batting displays, and Central Castries topped their group after a forfeit.
On Saturday at the Francis Baba Lastic Grounds, Gros Islet showed their strength with a 190-run win over Vieux Fort North. After falling to 92 for 7, Jard Goodman and Tyrel Chicot transformed the innings with a partnership of 183 runs for the eighth wicket.
Goodman scored his second century of the tournament, finishing unbeaten on 123 from 64 balls with four fours and 13 sixes. Chicot added 87 from 45 balls, hitting seven fours and seven sixes, helping Gros Islet reach 323 for eight in 26 overs.
Vieux Fort North were restricted to 133 for 9 in reply from their 26 overs, with Merkenry St Luce scoring 27 and Kalvin Williams 25. Tarrique Edward took 2 for 32 and Isaiah Jones 2 for 6 as defending two-day champions Gros Islet completed Group B with three wins from three matches, leaving Vieux Fort North winless with three defeats.
In Group A at Wenn Playing Field on Saturday, Micoud beat Dennery by 234 runs. Mervin Wells scored 115 from 55 balls, hitting 13 fours and seven sixes with a strike rate of 209. He and Tristan Norbal, who made 55 from 46 balls, put on 138 runs for the first wicket in under 12 overs.
Micoud finished their innings at 288 for 5 in 24 overs. Dennery were bowled out for 54 in 9.2 overs, with Avalinus Callender scoring 35. Ted Jonas took 3-23 and Mcwayne Vidal 2-28. With this win, Micoud secured second place in the group with two wins and one loss, behind unbeaten Babonneau. Dennery ended the preliminaries without a win after forfeiting to Choiseul.
Group C concluded on Sunday at Wenn Playing Field, where Mon Repos secured second place with a 102-run triumph over Mabouya Valley. Mon Repos reached 229 for 6 in 32 overs behind half-centuries from Micah Naitram (58), Cody Fontenelle (54 not out), and Shawnil Edward, who made 60 not out from 33 deliveries with five fours and four sixes.
Mabouya Valley were bowled out for 127 in 16.4 overs. Rick Smith scored 41 and Chad Polius 40, but Liam Joseph took 4-15, and both Edward and Fontenelle took three wickets each. Mon Repos ended the round with two wins and one loss, while Mabouya Valley had one win and two losses. Central Castries won their group with three victories, including a forfeit win against Desruisseaux on Saturday.
The quarterfinals are scheduled for next weekend. Group winners Babonneau, Gros Islet and Central Castries all carry unblemished records into the knockout stage.
