Navin Gonzalo Stewart was up to his heroics again on Thursday when he took his team Rainforest Rangers into the finals of the Chief Secretary Bago T10 tournament at the Roxborough Sporting Complex in Tobago.
The former T&T Red Force all-rounder scored a rapid 55 runs and then conceded just seven runs from his two overs, and he also took a brilliant catch to send Little Tobago Islanders tumbling out of the tournament.
They were due to battle Buccoo Reef Divers for the championship on Friday night at the same venue. Stewart who is the leading runscorer in the tournament with 288 runs, smacked seven sixes and a four off 22 balls to score 55 and lead his team to 91/6 off their allotted 10 overs.
This was a gettable score but Stewart then opened the bowling to rough up the Lezama boys in Lerron and Ronaldo. He conceded just seven runs and this set the tone for the rest of the run chase. After five overs Little Tobago Islanders were 31/1 and never recovered from this position reaching 79/4 when their overs ran out. Damian Ramsey who bowled well for the Islanders in taking 2/19 when Rainforest batted, scored 30 not out off 14 balls but it was not enough.
Speaking on the win Stewart said: "When I choose a number of young players at the draft, eyebrows were raised. However, I always had the belief that the exuberance of youth will come into play in a tournament as packed like this and it is showing. The youngsters on my team including the 14-year old Josh Telemaque and 13-year old Jayden Kent as well as 16-year old Orlando James have caught the eye."
Before the final, an exhibition match featuring a Chief Sec team including the likes of Keiron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Bravo, and Nicolas Pooran against a Tobago All-Star team.
BAGO T10 BLAST SCORES
At Cyd Gray Stadium: Rainforest Rangers 91/6 (10)(Navin Stewart 55, Josh Telemaque 11, Andy Davis 2/14, Damian Ramsey 2/19) vs Little Tobago Islanders 79/4 (Damain Ramsey 30no, Lerron Lezama 18) - Rainforest Rangers won by 12 runs.