Choiseul Secondary School were crowned Champions of the United Insurance 2013 Under-19 Inter-Secondary Schools Cricket Tournament on Saturday, after stumbling their way to a nervous three wicket victory over Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School in a low-scoring final reduced from 50 to 45 overs per side due to rain at the Piaye Playing Field.
It is by no means the Beausejour Cricket Ground (BCG), however the Piaye Playing Field met and even exceeded expectations in hosting the United Insurance 2013 Under-19 Secondary Schools Cricket Tournament there on Saturday between Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School and Choiseul Secondary School.
Normally this cricket final would be played at the BCG on a weekday, however this time the ministry and sponsors opted for Piaye on the weekend to generate more interest among patrons residing in the two towns vying for the title. The gamble seems to have paid off as both teams had their supporters on hand.
Chasing 90 for victory Choiseul made an inauspicious start to their run chase, when Rafique Alien was smartly taken by Valange St Ange at short leg off Jamile Goodman in the second over of the innings with just one run (a wide) on the score-sheet. Skipper Dornan Edward, who opened the attack with his leg-spin from the southern end, sent down two maiden overs before picking up a spectacular hat-trick and finishing with five for 32 from his 8.4 overs. He dismissed Nick
Joseph, Donavan Charles and Stephan Henry off successive deliveries in his third over (the innings’ fifth) to leave the home team devastated on seven runs for four wickets after 4.4 overs.
However, from the jaws of defeat, Choiseul recovered, first, through a crucial fifth-wicket stand of 35 between number three batsman Mervie Thomas, who made a patient and chanceless 24 from 49 balls, and Clem St Rose, who top-scored with an attacking 27 that contained three sixes and two fours, and then an equally decisive six wicket partnership of 47 between Thomas and Jaquain Mesmain, who made 26 with one six and four fours that saw them on the verge of a victory they ultimately secured with 24.2 overs to spare.
Earlier, Vieux Fort batted first after winning the toss and following a 40-minute delay due to early morning showers, made a very slow but steady start as Valange St Ange and Jamile Goodman put on 32 for the first wicket. So laboured was their batting that they did not score off 48 of the 64 balls they received after 10 overs.
St Ange crept to 11 from 37 balls before he was dismissed in the 11th over. Goodman, who survived two caught and bowled chances by Ted George, went on to top-score with 25. None of the other batsmen reached double figure scores as spinners Mervie Thomas with five for 14 and Stephan Henry with four for 22 bundled Vieux Fort out for 89 in eight minutes short of two hours in 25.2 overs, leaving Choiseul to chase at two runs per over for victory.
Final Score: Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School 89 all out in 25.2 overs. Choiseul Secondary School 90 for seven in 20.4 overs.
It was a day of nervous excitement albeit a poor batting display from both teams. Nevertheless, it was a very intriguing, entertaining and community supported event.
Preceding the Final the teams were addressed by Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Shawn Edward and Josette Edgard marketing manager of JE Bergasse and Company, parent company of United Insurance Ltd. Also in attendance at the Finals were Director of United Insurance Agency St Lucia, who is a former National and Windward Islands Cricket Captain, General Manager, United Insurance Ltd, Faye Miller; Assistant General Manager, Ursline DeBeauville; Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, Fortuna Belrose and its Director, Victor Reid. At the conclusion of the Finals the following Awards were presented: Outstanding Batsman, Serge Clarke, (Corinth Secondary School) with scores of 79, 68 and 52. Most Outstanding Bowler, Dorman Edward (Vieux Fort Comprehensive School (six for 52). Most Centuries, Colinus Calandar (Ciceron Secondary School) 132 not out and Kimani Herelle Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, 102 not out. Hat-tricks of the Tournament, Stephan Henry Choiseul Secondary School and Dorman Edward of Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School in the final. MVP of the final, Dorman Edward, Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School, Mervie Thomas, Choiseul Secondary School.
Once again congratulations to the Choiseul Secondary School who have won two of the last three finals contested. Incidentally tribute to our women as the winning team was coached by none other than Denise Herman!
