VPL 3.0 to end Sunday
At left - Luke Wilson (Explorers) and Benniton Stapleton (Hikers), the joint leading wicket takers with 11 wickets each
Sports
May 28, 2021
VPL 3.0 to end Sunday

The victors of the third edition of the Dream 11 Vincy Premier League (VPL) T/10 cricket competition, will be known this Sunday, when the final takes place from 2 p.m. at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Hikers’ Dillon Douglas, is leading the runs column

In line for a place in the final are the Dark View Explorers, La Soufriere Hikers, Fort Charlotte Strikers and Salt Pond Breakers.

The four made it to the play-off stage, following their standings from the preliminary phase.

Explorers, Hikers and Strikers, all ended on 12 points from their 8 matches. However, Explorers finished on top of the pile, with a superior net run rate, with Hikers, second and Strikers, third.

Explorers and Hikers had a dress rehearsal for today’s qualifier, when they met last Wednesday in their final preliminary match.
Hikers were able to restrict Explorers to 81 for 5, after asking them to bat.

Romano Pierre, with 34, and Deron Greaves, 20, were Explorers’ main contributors. O’ Jay Matthews was the pick of the Hikers’ bowlers, taking 3 for 8.

In reply, Hikers needed just 8 overs, to reach 84 for 3, to win by seven wickets. Othniel Lewis, with 2 fours and 3 sixes, posted 31 not out, Dillon Douglas hit 2 fours and 2 sixes in his 23 and Atticus Browne struck 4 fours in his cameo of 18 not out from 6 balls.

In Wednesday’s first match, Salt Pond Breakers ended their drought of five consecutive defeats, beating Botanical Garden Rangers by 27 runs.

Choosing to bat, Breakers made 92 for 7 from their 10 overs. Sunil Ambris scored 64. Bowling for Rangers, Kesrick Williams had 4 for 14.

Rangers’ response stopped at 65 for 5 from their 10 overs. Urnel Thomas hit 23.

Explorers and Hikers will play in the first qualifier from 11:30 a.m. today, Friday, May 28, while Strikers face Breakers in the first eliminator from 2 p.m.

The winner of the Explorers versus Hikers match-up, heads straight to Sunday’s final, while the loser faces the winner of the Strikers versus Breakers encounter, for a place in the final.

The loser of the qualifier versus the winner of the eliminator match is carded for Saturday from 2 p.m. Before them, the other two teams, Grenadines Divers and Botanical Gardens Rangers, will square off for the fifth and sixth places.

Also, preceding Sunday’s grand finale, a President XI will meet the best of the rest in an exhibition match.

Hikers were the inaugural champions, while Hikers won edition 2.0.