CUL DE SAC--The young cricketers of St. Maarten secured a Prime Pepsi T20 semi-final spot with a convincing nine-wicket win over defending champions WINAIR Conquerors on Saturday.
The loss condemned the defending champions to their fourth consecutive loss, a worrying trend for them in the run up to the semi-finals. Conquerors posted a marginal 127 for eight in the 20 overs, which Future Champs overhauled for the loss of only one wicket and eight balls to spare.
For the winners, opening batsmen Iassie Gabriel with 45 off 38 balls (3x4, 2x6) and Michael Lewis with 45 off 49 balls (2x4) were the architects of a match winning 84-run partnership which set up the easy win for the youngsters.
After Gabriel's dismissal, Vimal Ragubir batted calmly for 23 off 25 balls (1x4) along with Lewis to secure the crucial win.
When Conquerors batted, Lerry Baptiste played aggressively for 44 off 33 balls (3x4, 3x6). His innings gave his team the early potential for a big total but the middle order failed to capitalise on the rapid start. When their leading run scorer in opening batsman Shameer Baux (207 runs) was run out for six off three balls (1x4), only Raphael Baptiste with 35 off 48 balls (3x4) crossed into double figures in another embarrassing batting display for the current champions.
The best bowler for Future Champs was Captain Mrinal Wadhwa with two for 20 in four overs.
On Sunday morning, KFC Twisters burst the bubble of the youngsters by beating them by 28 runs. The Twisters posted a respectable 149 for nine in the 20 overs. Anil Garib returned after a two-match absence to top score with 38 off 31 ball (5x4) while Mervin Christopher slammed 23 off 16 balls (1x4, 1x6).
The most outstanding bowler for Future Champs was Vimal Ragubir with four for 37 in four overs.
The youth team's response was built on contributions from Lewis with 33 off 35 balls (3x4), Wadhwa with 31 off 35 balls (2x4) and Gabriel with 29 off 20 balls (4x4).
Christopher was also brilliant with the ball to grab three for 23 in four overs which helped to earn him the man of the match award.
On Sunday afternoon, MNO Spartanz continued their dominance of the league with a commanding rollover of the Masters. The Spartanz scored 174 for four while the Masters replied with a mere 111 for six.
Keacy Carty stroked a superb 97 not out off 66 balls which was decorated with 10 fours and one six. West Indies U19 player who slammed the bowlers to all parts of the field to entertain the crowd remained the leading run scorer in the tournament. He has an aggregate of 385 runs in nine innings. Carty and opening partner Moreland Le Blanc added 62 for the first wicket with Le Blanc contributing 33 off 22 balls (4x4).
Stephen Evans, in Masters' colours, singlehandedly made the match interesting with 84 off 64 balls (11x4, 3x6) while the other five batsmen failed to get into double figures.
Le Blanc with two for 18 in four overs was the best bowler for the winners.
The final preliminary matches will be played on May 9 when Future Champs take on the Masters and on May 10 from 10am when Spartanz match skills with the youth team.
On the afternoon of May 10, the Prime Pepsi All Stars will take on the Masters. The Prime Pepsi All Stars squad which comprises of all the outstanding players from all the teams will be announced this week.
