SVG improve, as Grenada take Windward Islands U-15 cricket title

There was a marked improvement in St Vincent and the Grenadines’ performance at this year’s Winlott Inc Windward Islands U-15 Cricket Tournament.

Certainty of holding down the last place in the tournament for most of the editions and on several occasions winless in the last decade, St Vincent and the Grenadines this year had two wins against St Lucia, which had ruled the tournament for last four versions.

The Vincentians helped dethrone St Lucia, thus leaving Grenada to trump for 2017.

SVG first dented St Lucia’s chances when they beat the defending champs by 15 runs at the Cumberland Playing Field in the round of matches.

SVG batted first and scored 127/7 from their 50 overs. Omarion Ottley stroked 28 not out, but the 45 extras conceded by St Lucia propped up the Vincentians’ total.

In reply, St Lucia were dismissed for 112; Amari Venner made 26.

Bowling for St Vincent and the Grenadines, Coby Da Breo picked off 4/41; Luke Wilson took 2/5 from his 10 overs and Joe Williams – 2/19.

Then, last Saturday at the Park Hill Playing Field, SVG inflicted a two-wicket defeat on St Lucia.

St Lucia made 90 all out from 30.5 overs, with Noel Leo making 26.

Bowling for SVG, Coby Dabreo had 4/11 and Luke Wilson – 2/14.

Tottering at 37/8, the hosts recovered to reach 91 without further loss. Devon Fisher hit 33 not out and aided by 28 extras and 17 from Omarion Ottley, SVG eeked out an unlikely victory.

This left the tournament wide open, as Grenada had recorded four wins from five matches, SVG and St Lucia, three wins apiece.

St Lucia had beaten Grenada by 64 runs and Dominica by 19 runs and 67 runs.

Meanwhile, Grenada had won from Dominica by 29 runs and by 15 runs, as well as had wins against SVG by 100 runs and by 74 runs.

SVG’s other win was versus Dominica by five wickets.

This set up the final day last Sunday, as either St Lucia, Grenada or SVG could have lifted the title.

But SVG faltered, to hand Dominica their lone win by three wickets, at Park Hill.

SVG were 123 all out off 43.4 overs; Omarion Ottley made 21.

Jahson Vidal took 2/17, Jelani Joseph 2/19, Neo Phillips 2/21, Morell Burton 2/27.

In response, Dominica scored 124 for 7 off 44.3 overs; Stephan Pascal made 31, Kyron Phillip – 26.

Coby Dabreo had figures of 2/39.

St Lucia enhanced their chances by whipping Grenada by 140 runs at Cumberland.

St Lucia posted 239/4 from their 50 overs; Ackeem Auguste was 138 not out, Sky La Feuille, 28 not out and Royce Paul, 20.

Grenada were dismissed for 79 from 35.2 overs. Kervyn Gangadeen was 26 not out. Omari Venner took 4/21 and Darren Sammy Jr, 3/10.

Both Grenada and St Lucia ended on four wins, but Grenada nudged out St Lucia, via the bonus points system for wickets taken by fast bowlers.

Grenada finished on 26.2 points; St Lucia – 25.9, SVG – 20.9 and Dominica – 7.3.(RT)