Welcome to our Match Day Five Report, we encountered three stirring games and many can argue that it was the most engaging night of the tournament thus far.
Game 1 Inventory Stingers vs TnD Lightning Strikers
The Strikers came into this tie undefeated and needed a win to secure the first qualification spot to the semifinals. Inventory Stingers have been impressive beating the then tournament favourites (Triple W Old Navy) in their last outing. High on confidence, the Stingers looked to silence their arch rivals.
Inventory Stingers won the toss and decided to bat first.
James Isidore was the first batsman to depart in the second over of the game. Tight bowling from the Strikers restricted Inventory Stingers from scoring boundaries. Captain Lucius Prospere and Qwaine Henry played to a deserving 51 run partnership for the second wicket which helped Inventory to a par total.
Two wickets from Tomy Adolph and two run outs from Tareq Tomy restricted Inventory Stingers to a score of 91 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. Qwaine Henry top scored with 31 runs.
There is an ancient saying; Lightning does not strike in the same place and the Strikers had to learn this proverb the hard way.
It was calamitous batting from TnD Lightning Strikers who lost wickets haphazardly. No batsman crossed double figures as Inventory Stingers run through the Stingers batting line up like a 60M race.
TnD Lightning Strikers were all out for 39 runs in the 5th over. Inventory Stingers won by 59 runs. Qwaine Henry won Man of the match for his two wickets and 31 runs.
Inventory Stingers would like to dedicate their win to a recovering Allister Charles. Allister on behalf of the LUCELEC Club and every participating team, we wish you a speedy recovery.
Game 2 Customer Service Kool & The Gang vs Triple W Old Navy
We have seen a holistic improvement from the Gang and we admire their determination and zeal towards each game (System Control take some notes cough cough). Old Navy on the other hand are looking for 3 points to claim top spot on the charts after a slip up from The Lightning Strikers.
Customer Service won the toss and decided to bowl first.
Nigel Leonce had both openers from Triple W out bowled in the first over for Platinum ducks (earlier we had golden ducks, now platinum ducks; mwen mem). The Marigot Court spectators came alive as everyone present began cheering on Customer Service. At the end of he first over, the score was 8 runs for the loss of 2 wickets.
Tricia Cherubin was trusted with the second over, continuing with the momentum; she took two further wickets by bowling her opponents with some accurate lollipops. Could you imagine the atmosphere at the Marigot Court? It was a carnival without music.
Impressive bowling from Customer Service troubled the Triple W team. A nervous Jonel Ochilien came in to bowl the 6th over. Similar to Tricia and Nigel, he took two wickets to bring Old Navy’s Innings to an end. Triple W Old Navy were bowled out for 57 runs in 6.5 overs. Four batsmen were out for Platinum Eggs (zero runs scored), Kurtson Eugene was the only batter to cross double figures, he was not out on 23 runs. Two wickets each to: Nigel Leonce, Jonel Ochilien and Tricia Cherubin.
Customer Service Kool & The Gang needed 58 runs from 60 balls to win this game, can the gang keep their kool and win it? Supporters crowded Customer Service players, each offering a word of advice to the incoming opening batsmen from the gang. Triple W Old Navy were not just playing against the 8 players from Customer Service but with every supporter who came to witness the games.
A watchful start by openers Kurtly Estava and Nigel Leonce had Customer Service 13 runs for the loss of no wicket after 3 overs. Crowd pressure saw the openers play a few risky shots which brought some success. At the end of over number 4 the score was 20 without loss of a wicket. Customer Service needed 38 runs from 36 balls.
Old Navy began feeling the heat, the bowlers felt the pressure and gave precious runs away through extras. At the end of over number 7 the score was 48 runs without the loss of a wicket. 10 runs were needed from 18 balls.
Nigel Leonce took one for the team as he hit the second ball of the 8th over for 6 runs out of the playing area (court rules, Nigel was given out for hitting the ball out of the playing area). Customer Service Kool & The Gang held their nerve to win their first match of the tournament in 8.4 overs.
After this loss, we are no longer referring to Triple W Old navy as a favourite team to win this year’s tournament (The Clowns seem like a fitting name if you ask me).
Tricia Cherubin was judged Player of the Match for her two crucial wickets.
Game 3 TnD Shockers vs TnD Pandemic
Players took jibes at each other from last week leading into today’s game. TnD Shockers have been in some hot and cold form, a win tonight would edge them closer to a semi final spot. TnD Pandemic coming into their third game with heavy expectations would want to keep up with the other teams by securing a much-needed win.
TnD Shockers won the toss and decided to bowl first.
This match lived up to the hype, despite pulling his hamstring midway through the first over, Ricky Hippolyte continued batting in an effort to help secure a win for his team. Silus Mathurin was bowled in the fourth over by Nerie Joseph when the score was at 35 runs. Powerful ball striking and a 91-run partnership between Shadly James (38 runs) and Ricky Hippolyte helped the Pandemic to a huge total of 134 runs in 10 overs.
Ricky Hippolyte despite suffering from an injury scored the tournament’s second half century with 51 runs not out, coming to bat from ball one.
Ballet Cricket shots did not help the Shockers openers as they failed to make an impact on the game. Chris Jeremie’s knock of 23 runs along with 30 runs from extras gave the Shockers a sniffing chance. However, the Pandemic was too strong on the night.
TnD Shockers were bowled out for 92 runs in 9.2 overs. TnD Pandemic won by 33 runs.
Ricky Hippolyte was judged Man of the Match for his 51 runs not out.
