Robertson S. Henry. Sports and Cultural Contributor
SUNDAY APRIL 07, 2013; ANOS VALE, SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES – At the Anos Vale Cricket Ground, a classy unbeaten 49 by captain Leic Charles, ably supported by Aulick Athanaze who remained 10 not out, propelled Dominica to their fourth straight victory in as many matches; which have virtually assured them of the 2013 Windward Islands Under-15 Cricket Tournament.
Chasing the 142 posted by Grenada, the Dominicans lost Gamaliel Ophair for 22, Terrel Toussaint for 08, and Devonte Williams for 16, as the lads from the Nature Isle reached 143 for three off 40.4 overs.
The Dominicans who won by seven wickets, lost wickets at 25 for one, 70 for two, and 111 for three to Calvin Blache who finished with one for 19, Narum Singh one for 36, and Jamal Andrews one for 31, with 38 extras being bowled – two leg-byes, one no-ball and 35 wides.
Earlier Grenada sent into bat by Dominica, found run-getting was not as easy as in their previous matches as the Dominicans steady bowling kept all in check.
The much talked about diminutive Emmanuel Stewart again led from the front with a fighting 38, and only Darren Nedd with 28, Johann Jeremiah 12, Ishmael Lett 11, and Donald McDonald 10 reached double figures on a track with no alarms.
Wickets fell at 06 for one, 23 for two, 52 for three, 91 for four, 106 for five, 108 for six, 131 for seven, 131 for eight, 131 for nine, all out for 142 in 49.3 overs, with extras contributing 22 made off 20 wides and two no-balls.
Daneal Dupigny led the destruction with four for 31, and was ably assisted by Terrel Toussaint two for 38, Maldini Royer one for 09, Kerwin Dupigny one for 18, and Aulick Athanaze one for 26 as they set the stage upon which the Dominican batsmen stroke their team to a fourth consecutive victory.
Over at the adjacent Anos Vale 2 ground, Saint Lucia kept their cool to squeeze out a three-wicket win over hosts Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It was their second victory and kept themselves in the hunt for a silver place finish.
Batting first Saint Vincent and the Grenadines totaled 180 for eight in their 50 overs, with Erwin Williams stroking a fighting 50, Urnel Thomas remained 17 not out, Shane Roberts 17, and Jeremy Haywood contributed 16.
There was a total of 49 extras bowled by the Saint Lucians made of two byes, three leg-byes, one no-ball and an astonishing 43 wides, or as was commented on “an extra seven overs bowled!”
Nedd Modeste spun his team into contention with four for 40, Stuart Calderon two for 23, Jervel Tobierre one for 15, Keeghan Patrick one for 21, and Nick Elibox one for 41.
In reply, the Saint Lucians experienced a wobble when they lost three quick wickets despite another solid opening partnership between Jervel Tobierre and Dane Edwards.
Edwards was trapped leg-before by Gregory Wyllie for 24 as he lazily walked across his wicket – 43 for one, and then Tobierre was bamboozled and bowled by Erwin Williams for 14; 43 for two.
It was soon 50 for three when Captain Nick Elibox left the gate between bat and pads wide open and was bowled by Erwin Williams for 03.
Nyim Calender trying to break free was caught at mid-off by Samson off Erwin Williams for 12 – it was now 79 for four and the Vincentians was cock-a-hoop as they sensed an opening which if exploited would have given them their first victory.
Urnel Thomas brilliantly ran out Youlan Lamontagne from the deep for 24 – 106 for five, and following a 62-run partnership with Johnnel Eugene, Denzel James succumbed to the pressure and was bowled by Haywood for 25 – 168 for six.
Stuart Calderon prodded and pushed; making 05 before Kerwin Williams had him giving Roberts catching practice – Saint Lucia now 179 for seven.
Facing Haywood, Johnnel Eugene although battling an attack of the flu, calmly played out three deliveries before launching the fourth into the airport fence for a huge six to finish the proceedings.
He remained 42 not out, and the diminutive but energetic Keeghan Patrick remained not out without scoring a run.
Extras bowled were three byes, four leg-byes, three no-balls, and 25 wides totaling 35 by Erwin Williams who finished with three for 44, Kerwin Williams one for 05, Jeremy Haywood one for 16 and Gregory Wyllie one for 28.
