The Gros Islet Battle of the Knights T20 tournament continued on Thursday night at the Francis Baba Lastic Grounds, as Beausejour Gladiators recovered from early batting trouble to defeat Fort Rodney Sunrisers by four wickets with 22 balls to spare.
Man of the match and Gladiators vice-captain Tyrel Chicot produced an excellent all-round display, with two catches and 1-34 before an unbeaten half-century to steer his side home.
Gladiators captain Jard Goodman won the toss and elected to field. Dane Edward and Khan Elcock gave the Sunrisers a productive start, posting 73 runs for the first wicket. Jaden Elibox broke the partnership in the eighth over, bringing Sunrisers captain Kimani Melius to the crease.
Edward and Melius added 36 runs for the second wicket. Edward compiled 54 off 40 balls with five fours and four sixes before Chicot took another catch off Yorrick Joseph at 2-109 in the 12th over. Two balls later, Joseph bowled Melius for 22 off 12 balls to leave Fort Rodney at 3-110.
Elibox removed Bolton Sayers for 11, and Chicot bowled Johnathan Daniel for five. Daniel Lorde produced an unbeaten 21 off 18 balls, and Keon Gaston struck 16 off nine balls, before McKenny Clarke ran him out on the final ball of the 20th over. Fort Rodney closed on 166-6.
Joseph led the Gladiators attack with 2-19 from three overs, while Elibox took 2-30.
Beausejour’s chase began briskly before a collapse. Dillan John had Goodman out for eight at 1-31 in the second over, then he trapped Boulogne leg before for 29. Sunrisers vice-captain Jeandell Cyril struck with consecutive deliveries in the fifth, Stephen Naitram caught by Melius for five and Elibox bowled for a duck. John trapped Udell Preville leg before for one in the sixth over, and the Gladiators were reeling at 5-57.
Chicot joined Clarke to mount a recovery, adding 60 runs for the sixth wicket off 35 deliveries. Clarke played aggressively for his 31 off 15 balls, striking two fours and three sixes, before Cyril had him caught by Gaston at 6-117 in the 12th over. Cyril finished with 3-30 from four overs, and John took 3-44 from four overs.
Needing 50 runs from 50 balls with four wickets in hand, the Gladiators kept control. Chicot found a dependable partner in the veteran Larry Edward, who struck an unbeaten 21 off 15 balls. Chicot reached his half-century and finished on 54 not out off 38 deliveries with four fours and three sixes.
Sunrisers bowlers conceded 20 extras, including 17 wides and three no-balls, which relieved pressure in the closing stages. An unbroken 52-run stand for the seventh wicket between Chicot and Edward carried the Gladiators to 169-6 in 16.2 overs, completing the win and earning five points.
Match Summary: Beausejour Gladiators 169-6 (16.2 overs) Fort Rodney Sunrisers 166-6 (20 overs)
