BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) — A brilliant all-round performance from Captain Jason Holder propelled the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots to a tense 12-run victory over the Barbados Royals in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League thriller here at Warner Park on Thursday.

In a match that ebbed and flowed, the Royals, chasing a target of 175, seemed well-placed at 92-3 at the halfway mark.

However, their innings unravelled in the face of a devastating bowling spell, led by their opposing skipper.

Holder was the undeniable architect of the win, first blasting a crucial 38 runs from just 21 balls to help the Patriots post a competitive 174-8.

He then turned the game with the ball, producing a scintillating spell of 4-14 that included two separate bursts of two wickets in two balls.

His clinical execution effectively broke the Royals’ chase, culminating in him trapping Jomel Warrican lbw in the 19th over to seal the result.

The Patriots’ innings was built on a solid foundation from Kyle Mayers, who top-scored with 42.

For the Royals, left-arm quick Ramon Simmonds was the standout bowler, claiming impressive figures of 3-26 from his four overs.

This victory, their second of the tournament, lifts the Patriots into second place on the table. More significantly, it marks a dramatic turnaround in their bowling fortunes.

After historically struggling to bowl teams out, a 50-inning drought without taking all ten wickets, Holder’s side has now achieved the feat twice in this year’s competition alone.

For the Royals, captained by Rovman Powell, who won the toss and elected to field, it is a second-consecutive defeat as they continue their search for a first win in the 2025 CPL campaign.