The Battle of the Knights is well and truly underway, with the four-team community T20 cricket tournament bowling off on Wednesday night at the Francis Baba Lastic Grounds in Gros Islet. The Rodney Bay Raiders claimed first blood, beating the Monchy Titans by four wickets with two balls remaining in the competition opener.
Man of the match and Raiders captain Lee John stood out with an all-round performance that overshadowed a fine unbeaten half-century from Windward Islands allrounder Shadrack Descarte. John won the toss and asked the Titans to take first knock.
Descarte and Theo Edward built a 70-run stand for the fourth wicket. Edward departed for 24, a Shawnil Edward return catch at 4-131 in the 17th over, but Descarte accelerated through the final three overs. He stayed unbeaten four short of a century to push Monchy to 175-4. Descarte had six fours and eight sixes.
Shawnil Edward led the Raiders attack with 2-27 from four overs, while John claimed 1-20 from four overs.
Rodney Bay’s chase encountered early difficulties as Darvin Forde and Kester Charles removed three batsmen inside the opening three overs. Forde had Theo Edward caught for 10 off five balls and trapped Qwaine Henry leg before for zero. Charles had Noelle Leo caught for four, leaving Rodney Bay reeling at 3-20.Â
John responded by counter-attacking alongside Roystan Fannis. The pair added 52 runs in five overs, before Fannis was run out for 17, and Yunieski Gustave bowled Josh Cepal for a duck to leave the contest balanced at 5-78.Â
John and Isiah Jones constructed a 73-run partnership for the sixth wicket to bring the target within reach. John eventually departed in the 17th over, caught off Tarrique Edward for 72 at 6-151. He hit four fours and seven sixes off 52 balls.
Needing 25 runs from the final 23 deliveries with four wickets in hand, the Raiders held their nerve. Jones and Shawnil Edward shared an unbroken 28-run stand for the seventh wicket, knocking off the required runs with two balls to spare in the 20th over to secure four points for Rodney Bay Raiders.
Interviewer: Joining the conversation is the winning captain of the Rodney Bay Raiders, Lee John. Lee John, congratulations on an emphatic win.
Lee John: Thank you very much.
Interviewer: How does it feel winning the first game of the tournament?
Lee John: Well, I feel elated, you know. My boys came out, we supported each other tonight. We backed ourselves, and we came out victorious.
Interviewer: And what inspired the decision to send the Titans in to bat first?
Lee John: I think upon arrival, you know, we went out, we looked at the pitch, and we made a team decision that we were going to bowl first. We felt that the pitch was a bit tacky on one end, so it would have benefited our bowlers, especially earlier on.
Interviewer: And you played a very good knock, 72 not out. How does that feel, leading from the front?
Lee John: Well, it always feels good to come out and showcase my talent. Like I said, my boys backed me till the end. I felt that once I batted deep—because it was a difficult pitch to bat on—once I batted deep, that would have gotten us over the line. Although I didn’t get there, I’m still grateful for the win.
Interviewer: This is your home ground, the home of Gros Islet cricket. Were you at all intimidated with Shadrack being on the other end of the game?
Lee John: Not really. I think Shadrack has played at one of the highest levels of cricket in the region. We always tend to learn from these guys; they’re always around us when it comes to national cricket. So, I feel like since we’ve played together for a good bit of time so far, that I would have been able to get on top of him. Although we did not tonight, we will meet them again, and hopefully that time we will come out on top.
Interviewer: Well, congratulations, Lee. Well done.
Lee John: Thank you.
Interviewer: Stay here because you are also Man of the Match. We acknowledge Shadrack’s 96 not out. However, for tonight’s game, Monchy Titans versus Rodney Bay Raiders, Lee John is our Man of the Match for scoring 72 and taking one wicket. To do the presentation is Mr. Arthur Antony.
Arthur Antony: Congratulations, young man. Well done.
Lee John: Thank you very much.
Presenter / Official: Hold it there. Hold it there, hold it there. Man of the Match envelope—they want to see it in your hand, please. Hold it properly, Lee. Man of the Match. The Man of the Match gets $100 EC and a trophy.
Lee John: Thank you very much.
After an electrifying opening night, the excitement continues on Thursday night, when Kimani Melius and the Fort Rodney Sunrisers face Jard Goodman’s Beausejour Gladiators in what should be another thrilling battle of the young knights.Â
