Cliff hanger final in Masters’ Cricket Tournament 2008

For the second year running, cricket enthusiasts and supporters of the SVG Masters’ Cricket Tournament had to endure another ‘cliff hanger’ of a final. Reminiscent of the 2007 final and with the same two teams involved, spectators and teammates had to wait until the fourth ball of the final over for victory to be secured.{{more}}

Winning the toss and batting first, the defending Champions, Police Masters, compiled a competitive 137 for 8 off 20 overs with the leading scorers being Samuel Francis, 34, Gosnel Cupid, 26, and Owen Williams 22. Ricky Thomas, 2 for 17, and Carlos Andrews, 2 for 27, were the leading wicket takers for Tropical Shipping Stubbs Masters.

The defending champions always knew that the stalwart former SVG and Windwards opening batsman, Darnley Joseph, was the barrier between retaining their top position or relinquishing it to their rivals, having warmed up with 96 not-out earlier the same morning in his team’s semi-final win over Sion Hill.

Joseph was also cognizant of this fact and in an innings mixed with aggression and cool calculation carried his bat through his team’s innings to roll back the years and end on 79 not out, with his team squeezing home at 138 for 5 with two balls to score and sending his team and supporters into celebration for a fine victory and revenging their final over loss to Police Masters in the 2007 Tournament.

Samuel Williams sported him with a steady 13 which allowed them to put on 76 for the opening partnership and laying the foundation for their team’s victory. Rouzendal ‘Bouncer’ Francis was the pick of the Police Masters, bowling 3 for 21.

The Presentation Ceremony followed immediately after the final with individual and team performances being rewarded handsomely for their achievements.

Everyone gathered concurred that cricket was the winner and that age was really not a limiting factor to understanding performance. (RT)