Defending Sunday League 50-over champions Queen's Park is one win away from clinching the title again, as spin bowler Khary Pierre grabbed five wickets to guide the Parkites to a narrow seven-run win in a day/night semifinal match against Powergen on Tuesday at the Avidesh Samaroo Park, Chaguanas.
Queen's Park captain Justin Guillen led with the bat, scoring 55 off 84 balls to take his team to 193/8. Guillen, who struck five fours in his knock, got assistance from national players Darren Bravo (24) and Akeal Hosein (21).
Two other national players were the pick of the bowlers for Powergen, as spinners Jason Mohammed and Kavesh Kantasingh took 3/25 and 2/11 respectively. Kantasingh contained the Queen's Park batsmen, only conceding 11 runs in eight overs.
Powergen got off to a poor start, as it was reduced to 24/3 after 9.2 overs. Hosein, who starred for T&T against the Windward Islands in the regional four-day tournament last weekend, took one, while Kevon Cooper got the other two scalps.
Mohammed tried to hold the innings together top scoring with 58, but Powergen fell for 186 in 49.2 overs. Pierre finished off the tail, snatching three of the last five wickets to finish with figures of 5/49 in 10 overs. Vaaroon Samaroo contributed 31, while Cooper ended with 3/30.
Queen's Park will face the winner of the Jenexcon Tableland/FCB Clarke Road match in Wednesday's final. Up to press time last night, Clarke Road and Tableland were in battle at Syne Village, Penal.
SCORES
AT AVIDESH SAMAROO PARK: Queen's Park 193/8 (Justin Guillen 55, Darren Bravo 24, Akeal Hosein 21, Jason Mohammed 3/25, Kavesh Kantasingh 2/11) vs Powergen 186 (49.2 overs) (Mohammed 58, Vaaroon Samaroo 31, Khary Pierre 5/49, Kevon Cooper 3/30) Queen's Park won by seven runs