By Vijay Harrinarain
Brown Hill, Nevis | June 13, 2026
2026 Bank of Nevis 40-Over Season, Division 2
Villa United secured a four-wicket victory over New Vision in the 2026 Bank of Nevis 40-Over Division 2 season on Saturday, chasing down 176 in 28.1 overs in a contest that featured enough twists and turns to keep both sets of supporters engaged until the closing stages.
New Vision, who won the toss and elected to bat, posted 175 for 9 from their 30 overs, a total built largely around a fluent half-century from Rohan Laborde. Villa United, however, always appeared capable of overhauling the target, and Curtis Dore’s authoritative innings at the top of the order ensured the chase was rarely in serious jeopardy.
New Vision Build on a Laborde Foundation
Laborde’s 62 off 61 balls formed the backbone of New Vision’s innings and was a knock full of quality. He played attractive strokes all around the ground, displaying a range of shots that oozed class. His innings included six boundaries and a six, giving New Vision a platform from which they might have accelerated.
He found reliable support in Delroy Prentice, who contributed 34 from 35 deliveries before falling to Sahadea Latchman, who produced a tidy spell of 2 for 19 from three overs.
Abijah Nemdhari was Villa United’s standout bowler, claiming 3 for 27 from six overs in a spell that consistently troubled the New Vision batting order. Rakeesh Subramani chipped in with 2 for 20, while young leg-spinner Ghaniss impressed throughout, combining sharp turn with clever variations to claim wickets and apply pressure during the middle overs. It was a performance that underlined his potential as a genuine match-winner.
Despite Tyrell Mills contributing a promising 23 off 27 balls in the middle order, New Vision were unable to find the late-innings momentum needed to push their total beyond par and eventually settled for 175 for 9.
Dore Sets the Chase in Motion
Villa United lost Rakeesh Subramani early to Laborde, but Dore, batting with confidence and authority from the outset, steadied the innings alongside Balram Latchman.
Dore’s 40 off 38 balls was an innings of genuine quality. His crisp drives through mid-off were a feature of the knock as he took the New Vision attack apart in the opening exchanges.
Latchman then provided the acceleration the chase required, striking 34 from just 22 balls, while Devanand Walter added a composed 36 off 34 deliveries to keep Villa United firmly on course through the middle overs.
New Vision’s bowlers refused to surrender quietly. Walter’s run-out and the dismissal of Anand Bhim gave the home side a glimmer of hope, while Demorae Prentice (1 for 24), Peter Charles (1 for 25), and Laborde (1 for 28) maintained pressure throughout.
However, Villa United’s middle order held its nerve, guiding the side to 176 for 6 in 28.1 overs and sealing victory by four wickets.
Verdict
Laborde’s 62 was a fine innings in a losing cause and deserved to be part of a winning effort. Nemdhari’s 3 for 27 stood out as the bowling performance of the day, while Ghaniss’s impressive leg-spin provided a valuable supporting threat and will certainly have caught the eye of those in attendance.
For Villa United, Dore’s commanding 40 laid the foundation, Latchman’s explosive 34 off 22 maintained the momentum, and Walter’s composed 36 provided the stability needed to complete the chase.
It was an entertaining Division 2 contest and one from which both sides can draw plenty of encouragement as the tournament continues to gather momentum.