Days before the tournament began they were the only team without an owner until Novel Sports came on board.
But on Friday night, the Novel Sports Southern Titans were lifting the Courts 2019 T20 trophy after beating defending champions LCB Contractors at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.
Chasing just 88 runs for victory, Titans stormed to the title at 90-2 in just 13 overs.
A brilliant all-round performance by the Titans, a team unified under the inspired leadership of West Indies player Britney Cooper, proved too much on the night.
Earlier, a good crowd was on hand to see the Sharks struggle to 87 for nine, as Cooper switched around her bowlers nicely. She was on top of her game and her players backed her to the hilt. The bowlers were on spot and aided by the slow track at the BLCA, they strangled the Sharks. No one really got on top of the bowling as Titans kept a tight reign on proceedings.
The spritely Felicia Walters kept the scoreboard ticking for Sharks but didn’t get the required support, as her teammates looked ragged after their impressive performance the night before.
Walters got 25 off 30 balls with three fours but the only other players getting into double figures were skipper Anisa Mohammed 14 and Shenata Grimmond 13.
The top bowlers for Titans were Renile Dookie 3/22 and Shalini Samaroo 2/24.
Titans needed a good start to the run chase and this they got from Deandra Dottin and Shenelle Lord. Their early onslaught left the Sharks in a frenzy and skipper Mohammed had to bring herself on by the fifth over. She was able to get the prized scalp of Dottin for 21 off 17 balls with four fours. The first wicket fell with the score at 41 and although Mohammed also quickly accounted for Lord 19, her team just could not come back.
Cooper and Chadean Nation then forged an unbeaten 42-run partnership in 6.4 overs to seal the win. The two ensured there were no hiccups and brought tremendous joy to their supporters as they brought the title to the South for the first time.
When the final run was struck there were scenes of wild celebrations as the Titan players ran onto the field to greet Cooper and Nation.
Speaking after the win, skipper Cooper was elated.
“We are emotional, being in the finals twice before and losing out. We got over the ropes finally and we are elated at being the champions. Probably this is the right time and honestly, this time feels perfect for us.”
LCB CENTRAL SHARKS 87-9 (20) (Felicia Walters 25, Anisa Mohammed 14, Shenata Grimmond 13, Renile Dookie 3/22, Shalini Samaroo 2/24) v NS SOUTHERN TITANS 90-2 (13) (Deandra Dottin 21, Shenelle Lord 19, Chadean Nation 20no, Britney Cooper 20no)
Result: Southern Titans won by eight wkts
