CUL DE SAC — Motorworld Spartans showcased composure and experience under pressure to defeat NAGICO United by 17 runs in the final of the NAGICO T20 Cup at the Caribe Lumber Ballpark on Sunday.
Asked to bat first, the Spartans posted a competitive 170 for four from their 20 overs, built on a solid foundation and a strong late surge. Dion Burton anchored the innings with a composed 52, striking seven fours and one six, while Sherwin Peters provided support with 30, which included four fours and a six.
After early setbacks that saw West Indies Test player Keacy Carty dismissed for three and Michael Lewis for 10, the Spartans regained momentum through disciplined batting. The acceleration came in the latter overs as Akeem Charles blasted a brisk 35, featuring three sixes and a four, and captain Kenroy David added a valuable 21 with one four to push the total beyond 170.
Fast bowler Chemequiko Landefort gave NAGICO United early hope by removing both opening batsmen inside the first three overs. However, the remaining bowlers struggled to maintain pressure, allowing the Spartans to score freely through the middle and death overs. Landefort finished as the pick of the bowlers with two for 30 from four overs, while Amarius Harris (4-0-32-1) and Michael Palmer (4-0-52-1) claimed the other wickets.
In reply, NAGICO United made a promising start through Palmer and tournament-leading run scorer Randel Longville. The momentum shifted when Spartans captain David introduced himself into the attack, dismissing Longville for 15, which included a six, and Mrinal Wadhwa for three in consecutive overs.
Tyanick Honore and Palmer attempted to rebuild the chase with sensible batting, but the Spartans’ fielding and bowling discipline tightened as the required run rate climbed. Honore was eventually dismissed for 22 off 23 balls, with two fours and a six.
Palmer continued to fight, top-scoring with a fluent 55 off 33 deliveries, including five fours and four sixes. However, his dismissal effectively ended NAGICO United’s hopes, as the Spartans maintained control in the closing overs. NAGICO United eventually ran out of steam and fell short by 17 runs.
David and Daryl Doram led the bowling effort with two wickets apiece.
Despite his early dismissal in the final, Longville finished as the tournament’s leading run scorer with 310 runs from seven innings, while Akeem Charles topped the wicket-taking charts with 12 wickets, capping off a successful championship campaign for the Motorworld Spartans.
