T&T Red Force again 50-over champions

For the second year running, the Trinidad and Tobago’s Red Force were crowned champions of the NAGICO Regional Super50.

Red Force, fired up by home support at the Queen’s Park Oval, burnt the Barbados Pride by 72 runs in a one-sided final Saturday night.{{more}}

Sent in to bat, Red Force, on the back of 97 from Darren Bravo, piled up a competitive 270 for 7 from their 50 overs.

Bravo, who also missed out on a century against the Guyana Jaguars in the semi-finals on Wednesday, when he laced 95, slammed eight fours and two sixes in 104 balls knock.

Barbadian Kyle Hope hit six fours in his 34; Jason Mohammed – 31, Denesh Ramdin – 26 and Evin Lewis – 25, all chipped in with useful contributions.

Carlos Brathwaite was the most successful bowler for the Barbados Pride, with 2 for 54.

At their turn, Barbados Pride crashed to 198 all out, off 42.5 overs.

Shai Hope top scored with 50; Carlos Brathwaite struck a breezy 46 and tail- enders Sulieman Benn – 27 and Jomel Warrican – 24, partied with the bat in the latter stages, to save face for the Barbados Pride, who were at one point 80 for 6.

Rayad Emrit took 3 for 46, Jon-Russ Jagessar – 2 for 30, Marlon Richards – 2 for 38 and Akeal Hosein – 2 for 55, as the Red Force bowlers took charge.

In the semi-finals, Red Force beat the Guyana Jaguars by 54 runs.

Red Force posted 259 for 9 from their 50 overs; Darren Bravo made 95, Denesh Ramdin – 43 and Kjorn Ottley – 33. Bowling for the Jaguars, Vereesammy Permaul picked off 3 for 56, Steven Jacobs – 2 for 12 and Paul Wintz – 2 for 67.

Guyana Jaguars scored 205 for 9 in 48.3 overs; Anthony Bramble top scored with 51, as Jagessar – 3 for 36, Narsighn-Deonarine – 2 for 35 and Hosein – 2 for 42, shared Red Force’s bowling honours.

Barbados got to Saturday’s final after overcoming the Windwards Volcanoes by seven wickets, also at Queen’s Park Oval on Thursday.

Chasing down 176, Barbados Pride crossed the line at 179 for 3 with 33 balls to spare.

Kraigg Braithwaite led with 80 not out; Shamarrh Brooks was 33 not out and Shai Hope and Jonathan Carter – 28.

The Volcanoes, opting to bat, were dismissed for 175 in 45.4 overs. Devon Smith with 44, Sunil Ambris and Tyrone Theophile – 31 and Kyle Mayers – 26, were the main scorers.

Player of the match Sulieman Benn grabbed 4 for 26, and Ashley Nurse, Carlos Braithwaite and Jomel Warrican all took two wickets apiece.(RT)