GFM Central Sports Yorkshire delivered a commanding performance to defeat Fial Under-19s by 65 runs on Day 5 of the Trinidad T20 Festival at the Queen’s Park Oval on Wednesday night.
The contest, on a hard pitch, saw Central Sports Yorkshire’s Ethan Gibson produce a breathtaking century that set the tone for a high-scoring encounter.
After losing the toss, GFM Central Sports Yorkshire posted an imposing total of 191 for five from their 20 overs, anchored by Gibson’s 104 from 53 balls, including eight fours and eight sixes. He was well supported by opener Antonio Gomez, who contributed a steady 30 from 26 balls, while Riyaad Mohammed finished unbeaten on 35 from 28 deliveries.
Gibson’s fifth-wicket partnership of 104 runs with Mohammed ensured that Central Sports Yorkshire finished strongly. For the Fial Under-19s, Amrit Pittiman claimed two for 33, and skipper Brendan Boodoo had one wicket for 30 runs.
Chasing 192 for victory, the Under-19s started brightly, with openers Tariq Richards (24 off 18) and Levy Ghanny (13 off 12) putting on 38 for the first wicket. However, once their partnership was broken, wickets tumbled at regular intervals. Boodoo fought valiantly to produce a top score of 44 from 36 balls but lacked support from the middle and lower order. The Under-19s collapsed from 108 for four to 126 all out with Antiguan Kofi James ending with three for 23 from three overs, while Aneal Rooplal (2 for 22), Clevan Kalawan (2 for 18), and Nicholas Ali (1 for 20) all chipped in.
Summarised Scores:
GFM Central Sports Yorkshire 191/5 (20 overs) - E. Gibson 104; A. Gomez 30; A. Pittiman 2/33) vs Fial Under-19 126 all out (19 overs) - B. Boodoo 44; T. Richards 24; K. James 3/23; A. Rooplal 2/22
<QPCC 1 remands Prisons>
In the earlier match, defending champions QPCC 1 and Prisons Sports Club served up a compelling T20 contest. After being told to bat first by QPCC player/coach and captain, Darren Bravo, Prisons’ Sidel Diaz exploded to 16 off six before holing out to Kyle Ramdoo off Stephon McPherson. That early blow might have tilted the contest, but Zaackurrie Raghoonath steadied the ship with a mature 66 from 51 balls studded with ten fours and two sixes but frequent wickets at the other end repeatedly denied any extended acceleration.
Stephan Wharwood and Mikel Frederick offered brief resistance with 14 and 11 respectively, however QPCC’s Mikkel Govia claimed three for 35 removing Raghoonath, Eric Garcia and Calvin Williams. Prisons finished on 146 for 7 from their 20 overs, arguably below par.
Chasing 147, QPCC suffered a jolt when Kadeem Alleyne was dismissed first ball, smartly taken by Raghoonath off Diaz. The early wicket, however, proved only a momentary lift for the bowlers as
QPCC’s reply was steadied by a match-defining 95-run partnership between Kyle Ramdoo and Tion Webster. Ramdoo played the anchor role, while Webster unleashed a series of brutal strokes that ripped the contest open. His 58 from 45 balls featured five crisp fours and three massive sixes.
Webster was stumped off Boodram’s bowling, and Ramdoo fell soon after, bowled by Rampersad for a well-made 29, but the foundation had been laid. Andre Fletcher’s 17 not out, and Bravo’s unbeaten 26 shepherded the chase to its conclusion at 150 for 3 in 18.3 overs. Prison also conceded 20 extras (14 wides and three no-balls).
Summarised Scores:
Prisons Sports 146/7 (20 overs) - Z. Ragoonauth 66; M. Govia 3/35; A. Toppin 2/19 vs QPCC 1 150/3 (18.3 overs) - T. Webster 58; K. Ramdoo 29; D. Bravo 26*; Sidel Diaz 1-29. QPCC won by 7 wickets.
