CUL DE SAC--The cricket lovers at Caribe Lumber Ballpark on Sunday witnessed a very new team defeat a very seasoned team to lift the Mazda Super20 trophy.
The Gladiators, in only their first local tournament, surpassed all expectations to defeat NAGICO by six wickets.
The Gladiators bundled out the insurance company team for a disappointing 97 with 18 balls to spare. NAGICO won the toss and decided to bat first on a sunny afternoon which turned hazy because of the continuous fire which was burning on the dump.
Kelbert Walters, from Anguilla removed Iassie Gabriel in the first over after the batsman had disdainfully pulled him over mid-wicket for four (8 for 1). Captain Moreland Le Blanc was joined by Stephen Evans, in which time they pushed the score to 43. Chaka Hodge, also from Anguilla had the captain caught at first slip for 24 off 19 balls (3x4, 1x6).
By the 10th over, NAGICO were well placed at 67 for two. But then they lost wickets regularly in a familiar pattern to sink their ambition of a big score. They lost two wickets on 69 runs, two wickets on 71 runs and two wickets on 86 runs. That collapse was triggered by left-arm spinner Quincy Hyman with the wickets of Stephen Evans (25 off 22 balls) and Danga Farrel (0), continued by Hodge with the wickets of Lenny Boland (eight off five balls) and Romain Doodnauth (three off six balls) and completed by Hodge and Walters with the wickets of Colin Hamer (11 off seven balls) and Cornelius Dupie (0), respectively.
Hodge finished with figures of four for 20 in four overs, Hyman registered bowling figures of three for 22 in four overs and Walters, two for 26 in four overs.
The Gladiators’ response to the low total was measured and calculated with limited risks. Opening batsmen Sheldon Le Blanc and Gregorio Ritchie added 45 for the first wicket, and although three more quick wickets fell by the time the score reached 57, the below par score was overhauled before the end of the 16th over. Le Blanc scored 26 off 21 balls (3x4) and Ritchie contributed 17 off 17 balls (2x4).
Walters and Hodge confirmed their importance to the team with knocks of 19 off 10 balls (2x4, 1x6) and 18 off 18 balls (3x4), respectively.
The capacity crowd was seemingly on the side of David, the underdog against Goliath, the usually champion. They cheered and celebrated every good play that the Gladiators made and went into wild jubilation when a four was hit off the first ball of the 16th over. The Gladiators played well in this tournament to beat NAGICO in the first match of the tournament and now the last match of the tournament.
The award ceremony for the Mazda Super20 will be on Thursday, October 4, at the Motorworld Showroom at 6:00pm. Trophies and awards will be given out to the champion and sub-champion teams, all men of the matches, the most outstanding youth player and the player with the most runs and wickets for each team. All captains and umpires are invited to the ceremony.
