Bath Hotel Blazers– Champions of Inaugural NPL Cup
Sports Page — Set 161 for victory by the Bath Hotel Blazers, the Saddle Hill Rangers were off to a shaky start when the pace of Nelson Boland had them rocked back at 6 runs for 2 wickets. The ‘big fish,’ Carlon Smithen had been comprehensively bowled and Xavier Cornelius was caught at extra cover, attempting a lame hook shot.
It was the grand finals of the inaugural Nevis Premier league at the ET Willet Park on Sunday 1st June.
It looked to be all over by the shouting but two of Nevis’ young stars teamed up in an enterprising partnership as Ross Powell, chipped down the track and effortlessly struck Justin Athanaze for a maximum over the straight boundary.
He followed this up in the next over, with two superlatives off drives from the bowling of Tonito Willet and his compatriot, Philo Wallace also played some superb shots. Their running between the creases was also a worry to the Blazers and at one point seemed to be playing the old fashioned game of ‘every lash-one.’
That however proved their downfall, as Wallace called Powell through for an obviously suicidal single and Powell ultimately sacrificed his wicket.
Soon after, Wallace waltzed down the track to be superbly stumped by wicketkeeper Kejel Tyson.
Some brave shots by two other promising youngsters, Jamie Cornelius and Jevani Tyson brought them close to the target but inevitably they fell some 10 runs short and the sizeable crowd had received a real treat, worthy of a grand finals.
Summarized scores: Bath Hotel Blazers: 160 for 5 from 20 overs: Tonito Willet 46; Nelson Boland 35*; Andre Browne 25
Kezron Archibald; Philo Wallace; Jevani Tyson; Wasim Mintos and Jason Campbell all got one wicket each
Saddle Hill Rangers: 150 for 8 from 20 overs: Ross Powell 31; Philo Wallace 23; Dymon Parris 22
Nelson Boland 2 for 15; Theron Bussue 2 for 26; Tonito Willet and Oshane Williams 1 wicket each
Bath Hotel Blazers won by 10 runs
Meanwhile, in the match to determine the third placed team, played earlier that same day, Oualie Pelicans totally dominated the Big Rock team.
Summarized scores: Big Rock: 126 for 5 in 20 overs: Anand 37; Bernette Thompson 37 and Laborde 20
Akito Willet 2 for 13; K. Pemberton 1 for 12; Ravindra Balgobin 1 for 30 and S. Isles 1 for 15
Oualie Pelicans: 127 for 1 in 12.2 overs: Akito Willet 64* (10 fours and 1 six); Marvin Hamilton 40 and Junie Williams 18*
Elroy JIMBO David 1 for 33
Oualie Pelicans won by 9 wickets and secured the third place trophy
In the presentation ceremony chaired by Carl Tuckett which was held immediately after the match, Stascius Wallace made the following presentations:
Batsman with the most runs—Tonito Willet-282 runs
Bowler with the most wickets-Philo Wallace—9 wickets
Best fielder—Jason Campbell
Best Wicket keeper—Jamoy Pemberton
Best young batsman—Ross Powell
Best young bowler—Ravindra Balgobin
Most improved player-Tiwan Prentice
Best young fast bowler—Kezron Archibald
Best catch of the tournament—Nelson Boland
MVP of the tournament—Tonito Willet
Winning team—Bath Hotel Blazers
2nd placed team-Saddle Hill Rangers
3rd placed team—Oualie Pelicans
The match officials also received medallions.