By Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway
RTW Falcons capped Sunday’s second BVI Cricket Association T20 League match by assuring that no team will go through the league unbeaten, with a four wickets victory over Royal Knights, while Cavaliers overpowered Police by 97 run win.
With openers Ameri Hinds and Kazim Haywood absent, Royal Knights took the crease after winning the toss and got off to a 69-run partnership between Captain Keion DeJesus and Leroy Squires, before DeJesus was caught for 34, moving him into third place with 183 runs on the season. RTW Falcons bowler and Man of the Match Turby Xavier, began ripping through Royal Knights’ order with reckless abandon, taking out Squires who had 33 in the DeJesus partnership, for 51, enroute to bagging 4 for 28. Royal Knights went on to post 181 all out.
RTW Falcons Joel Williams grabbed 2 for 33, before starting their chase with his 21 runs, finding themselves in early trouble at 34 for 2. Then Gary Prince and Damron Prince revived the innings with a 68-run partnership, before Damron went leg before wicket for 49 and Gary three runs later for 27.
Austin McDowall who was moved down the order, came in for an explosive 63 not out from 24 balls, that included seven sixes, and carried the RTW Falcons (2-2) to their 187 for 6 victory. Veteran Reno Mettleholzer led Royal Knights’ (4-1) bowling with 3 for 37, for six wickets on the season, and Julian St. Clair, plucked 2 for 36.
“The last couple of games we played against them, we defeated them, so I saw it as a psychological advantage,” RTW Falcons Captain Orlando “Facebook” Olliverre said. “It’s a sweet, sweet feeling getting two back to back wins.”
DeJesus said that they fought a top class team, a good batting team and carried them to the 18th over. “I’m still satisfied and feel proud of the boys for going out there and fighting for the 181, despite missing our two opening batsmen,” said.
In the earlier match, led by Man of the Match Aaron Baker’s explosive 95, Cavaliers used three half centuries and Vishal Bharat’s 3 for 22 wicket haul, bringing him into a five-way tie with seven, to keep Police at bay, with a 97-run victory. In his total, Baker had nine fours and seven sixes off 44 balls, to take over the scoring lead with 223 runs, as Cavaliers (3-1) posted 291 for 5. Jagnarine “Suga” Persaud contributed 79 and Gavin Hitnarine had a supporting 59, respectively.
Led by Shem Stay’s 45, and Jason Bob-Semple’s 44, Police (3-2), became the first team with seven batsmen scoring in double figures, as they replied with 194 for 5.
“This victory means a lot to the Cavaliers as a champion team. We have to keep going to get back to the championship,” Hitnarine said. “Some of the guys have to come out and practice bowling and we’ll get back there.
Police’s Jamal Mickle said the loss doesn’t define anything for his team. “Working last night and finishing at 4 this morning after the Vybz Kartel show and showing up here at 8:30 a.m. to play at 9:30. That played a big role for us,” he said. “We also had a lot of drop catches. The players were tired.”
