Sunday 11th November, saw the conclusion of the exciting Tape ball Cricket tournament, which was sponsored by the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis and hosted by the Department of Youth and Sports.
The match to determine third place which was scheduled between GT United and SDA Jets, was not played, as the GT United team, failed to show with enough players to comprise a team and therefore forfeited the points to the Jets.
Then it was the headliner: Empire versus All-stars for the championship trophy and cheque.
All-stars’ skipper Tonito Willet, won the toss and as his custom is, decided to field first.
The move reaped immediate dividends, as Kejel Tyson was soon given his walking ticket, caught for a golden duck.
However, Empire’s Captain, Adelvin Phillip strolled to the crease and immediately stamped his authority on the game, with three stunning boundaries.
By the time, he had run out of steam, to be found short of his crease, he had completed an exciting half century, which included 4 fours and 6 maximums.
Empire failing yet again to cross the coveted 100 mark but setting a competitive target of 97 runs from their allotted 10 overs.
The All Stars men confidently went to commence the chase, again depending on the aggressive Jamie Cornelius to give them the usual flying start, but on the big night, that was not to be.
Part time off spinner, Jacel Allen, had him caught behind for one and then for good measure, added the scalp of Javani Tyson.
When Tiwan Prentice had main batsman, Tonito Willet, brilliantly caught behind for 11, the fat lady had virtually jumped over the wall at the ET Willet Park and had started to sing quite loudly.
The All-stars men were stuttering on the rope and were virtually down for the count.
Despite the efforts of Akito Willet, towards the end, it was not enough on the big night.
The Allstsra team had lost their only game of the tournament, when it mattered most.
Empire had bowled them out for a miserly 62 runs and oh how they celebrated!
Summarized scores: Empire 97 for 4 in 10 overs: Adelvin Phillip 68
Kian Pemberton; Tonito Willet and Akadianto Willet 1 wicket each
All Stars-62 all out in 8.1 overs: Akito Willet 22; Javani Tyson 15
Joel Simmonds 2 for 5; Adelvin Phillip 2 for 9; J. Allen 2 for 18; Tiwan Prentice and S. Merchant 1 wicket each
Empire won by 35 runs
Man of the match –Adelvin Phillip
Prior to the grand finals, after the GT United team had forfeited the third place match, an exhibition game, simply to entertain the crowd prior to the finals, was played between a mixed GT team and the SDA Jets. The five overs affair ended on the last ball, with the GT mixed team managing to score the winning runs from the last ball.
Summarized scores: SDA JETS 54 for 3 in 5 overs: Zavero Forbes 19*; Curtis Morton Jr 17
Lemuel Pemberton 2 wickets for 2 runs
GT United Mixed team: 55 for 2 in 5 overs: Callis 24*; M. Skeete 15*
GT United mixed team won by 8 wickets
Man of the match- Callis