Eastern Westmoreland teams dominate WCA semi-finals
SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland
Eastern Westmoreland teams, Westmoreland Police and Petersville took the honours over Extra Flex Seniors and Star of the West respectively, in the semi-finals of the Luther Buchanan-sponsored Westmoreland Cricket Association 40 Overs Competition on Saturday.
Westmoreland Police’s victory at Paradise came in a nerve-wracking last over two-run-win, in which Extra Flex, needing seven runs for victory, managed to get only four, to end on 206 for 6 in their allotted 40 overs.
Batting first after losing the toss, Dwayne Evans (52) and Leon Thomas (20) got Westmoreland Police off to a flying start, posting 85 for the first wicket before Evans fell to Derrick Thompson (1 for 18 off 8 overs) and Thomas to Aldane Samuels (2 for 17 off 8 overs).
Samuels later posted a top score of 89 that nonetheless failed to give Extra Flex a place in the June 20 finals at Paradise.
Westmoreland Police struggled at 107 for 4 in the 18th over even as a patient 50 from batsman Bruce Blackwood provided a glimmer of hope in the middle order.
Blackwood eventually became one of Danville McKenzie’s three victims as his team fell for 208 in 38.4 overs; McKenzie finishing with three for 19 off 7.4 overs.
In reply, Extra Flex started shakily when Hugh Blackwood (2 for 31 off eight overs) removed Javed Davidson for a Duck in the second over with the score at 3 for 1, but recovered to 101 for 2 in the 20th when Derrick Thompson was run-out for 56.
Nicardo Banton (34) then joined opener Samuels at 109 for 3 and the pair hit 79 for the fourth wicket, when Samuels, attempting to drive Bruce Blackwood only succeeded in being clean bowled at 188 for 4 in the 38th.
With Extra Flex needing seven runs from the last six deliveries, Westmoreland Police stationed five men on the boundary, as Hugh Blackwood bowled efficiently conceding four runs, running out Banton, to secure victory.
“It was a tough semi-final but we are ready for Petersville (in the final), as we beat them by 8-wickets in the Preliminary Round,” said team captain Fitzroy Quest, whose team is still undefeated.
Meanwhile in Negril, Star of the West through Inique Findlay (70), Davian Davidson (46) and Paul Palmer Snr (39), hit 243 for 6 in their 40 overs against Derval Green 2 for 20 off 5 overs, after winning the toss and electing to bat, in their match against Petersville.
In reply Green (66) provided support to Nicoy Samuels (84) and Marvrett Perry 33 not out as Petersville raced to an eight-wicket win at 245 for 2 in 33 overs.
The competition began on March 29 with 15 teams drawn into two Zones (east and west) playing the round-robin format.
