SVG Under-19 cricketers on target

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Under-19 cricket team enter today’s last round match versus Grenada at Gros Islet in the Windward Islands tournament in St. Lucia with retention of the title foremost on their minds. And all they need is a first innings win to make it two in a row.{{more}}

The Vincentians opened their defence with a merciless display against Dominica. On Sunday, the defending champion amassed a record 404 for 8 declared. A 252 run opening stand between debutante Wayne Harper 134 and Joey Welcome 133 laid the platform for the onslaught. The left handed Welcome smashed 12 fours and 4 sixes, while Harper who bats right handed plundered 16 fours and 4 sixes. Lauron Francois made 31. Alton Audain bagged 5 for 126.

Dominica were first bowled out for 160 and enforcing the follow on were shot out for 140 for 9, as one batsman had to retire hurt, giving St. Vincent and the Grenadines victory by an innings and 104 runs.

Dawnley Grant 3 for 39, Elton Joseph and Keiron Cottoy, both 2 for 27 ensured that Dominica fell short of their first innings total. Grayson Pacquette topscored with 54. In their second turn, Dominica were undone by Grant 3 for 33 and Dellorn Johnson 2 for 46.

Grenada on the other hand defeated the host by nine wickets. St.Lucia made 199, led by Dalton Polius’ 51, Johnson Charles 47 and Kelly Lesporis 34. Leron Celestine 3 for 38 and Kurt Braithwaite 3 for 40. Grenada replied with 281. Demron Daniel 55, Micha Narine 47 and Braithwaite 36. Mc Vern Remy took 3 for 39, batting a second time St. Lucia were shot out for 96. Dalton Polius made 39 not out. Darus Charles took 3 for 9. Grenada reached their victory total of 17 for the loss of one wicket.

But the Vincentians were not as clinical in their second round meeting with Dominica at Beausejour. After being 65 with out loss, St. Vincent and the Grenadines fell for 190. Harper topscored with 61 and Francois hit 44. Left arm spinners Audie Alexander 5 for 42 and Marlon O’Brien 4 for 56, checked the Vincentians’ progress. St. Lucia recovered from 44 for 4, to score 176. Johnson Charles 68 and Dennis Louis 57 steadied their batting, but Dawnley Grant returned on Wednesday morning to take five more wickets to engineer a first innings lead of 14 runs. Grant ended with 6 for 60, with all his victims bowled. Johnson had 2 for 28 and Cottoy 2 for 41. Grant then smashed 55 to lead a recovery with his team tottering at 57 for 5. Grant’s innings included 7 fours and 1 six. Cottoy struck 49 and Donwell Hector 38. Vaughan Polius took 4 for 34 and Alexander 3 for 37. Asked to make 200 to win, St. Lucia finished at 76 for 2.

On the other hand Grenada lost to Dominica by 54 runs. Dominica scored 231 and 165. Grenada made 152 and 191.

Following the completion of the tournament, the Windwards squad to play in the West Indies competition slated for St. Kitts will be selected.(RT)