Victors One trump in national cricket Premier Division

Victors One were installed the 2018 National Lotteries Authority Premier Division champions of the national cricket programme, last Sunday at the Arnos Vale One Playing Field.

But it was a nervy, anxious moment for the new champions, who could have forfeited the match, after winning on first innings.

Police Two had won the toss and asked Victors One to bat, on Saturday.

Victors One obliged by rattling up 321 for 6 declared. Donwell Hector led from the front with 106, including 16 fours; Atticus Browne lashed 91, Alston Bobb, 38 and Lauron Francois, 35.

Bowling for Police Two, Desron Maloney had 2 for 43 and Kenneth Dember, 2 for 93.

But Police Two’s batting was humbled by the bowling of Ray Jordan, who picked off 4 for 38 and Alston Bobb, 3 for 32, in their total of 162.

Police Two’s lead batsman was Desron Maloney, who posted 58, his best for the season.

Victors One, though, closed their second innings at 14 for 0, wanting to give the opportunity to Bobb to get the award for most wickets.

But this almost backfired on Victors One, who could have forfeited the match, because they did not have the required new ball for Police Two’s second innings.

Victors One were saved the embarrassment, as a ball was provided to them in the nick of time by a member of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association Inc.

This took place as vice-captain Miles Bascombe had gone in search of a “new ball”.

All’s well that ended well for Victors One, as Bobb got the required three wickets to surpass FLOW Radcliffe’s Dyke Cato.

Bobb’s 3 for 75 and Kinson Dalzell’s 4 for 48, helped slow down Police Two, who were in search of 173 to win, which could also have landed them the title.

Police Two though, ended on 132 for 7.

At Park Hill, Team Rivals had a come-from-behind win over dethroned champions FLOW Radcliffe.

FLOW Radcliffe posted 146, with Gidron Pope scoring 34, which was inclusive of 4 sixes and a four and Deron Greaves struck 31.

Team Rivals’ bowling was led by Rasheed Fredericks, who had figures of 4 for 43 and Casmond Walters, 3 for 49.

In response, Rivals made 107, with Casmond Walters’ top scoring with 21.

Dyke Cato snared 6 for 62 and Othneil Lewis, 3 for 26, bowling for Radcliffe.

With a lead of 39, Radcliffe’s second innings closed at 82, with Romano Pierre hitting a top score of 28.

Olanzo Jackson bagged 7 for 23, as he and Casmond Walters (2 for 42), did the damage with the ball for Team Rivals.

Set 121 for victory, Team Rivals reached 122 for 4, to win by six wickets. Asif Hooper, steered the innings with 46 and Walters, 28 not out, while Lindon James copped 2 for 15, bowling for Radcliffe.

And, at the Sion Hill Playing Field, the match between Guardian General Saints and Providence Electronic Solutions North Windward ended in a no-decision.

Saints compiled 237 all out. Rommel Currency made 74, Seon Sween, 37, Jeremy Layne, 33 and Zane Edwards, 31.

North Leeward’s most successful bowler was Donald Delpesche, who had 5 for 36, while Winston Samuel contributed with 3 for 30.

Tilron Harry, 29 and Leshawn Lewis, 28, were the main scorers in North Leeward’s response of 128 for 8.

Ray Charles had figures of 3 for 24, Jeremy Haywood, 2 for 21 and Teron Simon, 2 for 27, as Saints did enough to remain in the Premier Division, while North Leeward is relegated after just one season in the top group.

Teams will now shift their focus to the one-day competition.