Match Report: Semi Finals 1 – Salt Pond Breakers vs Grenadines Divers
Grenadines Divers won the toss and chose to bat. Asif Hooper and Romano Pierre made the decision look right as they had the runs ticking over, on a wicket that get’s harder to bat as the ball gets older. Pierre and Hooper put on 56 runs partnership in 34 balls to put the Divers in a perfect position to capitalise on the death overs.
The death over acceleration didn’t happen, as the Divers could only finish on 82/9, losing their last 8 wickets for 24 runs. Delorn Johnson was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2-4 and Wesrick Strough taking 2-11. Wesrick Strough went back clear in the lead on the wickets table with 13 scalps for the season.
The Breakers turn at the crease saw an unbelievable twist. First ball, Nedd was caught at long on by McCoy off Hooper. Donwell Hector got run out on the 2nd, coming back for a second run. Sunil Ambris was stumped on the third legal delivery (the previous two being wides). Rickford Walker was lbw on the 5th delivery and the 6th one was hit over long off for 4 runs – 7/4 after 1 over, the most eventful over of the tournament.
With the Divers now in control, the Breakers would be looking for a way back in. Beniton Stapleton took 2 sixes off Richie Richards to signal that the Breakers are not out of it – finishing the powerplay on 24/4, 59 runs required from 36 deliveries, still a steep task. Obed McCoy delivered the 5th over and only conceded 6 runs, the pressure continuing to build tremendously. Razine Browne bowled the 6th over and Urnel Thomas greeted him with a sweet tuck to long leg. Beniton Stapleton finished the over with a 6 to take the required score to 38 from 24 deliveries. The 7th over was bowled by Asif Hooper and Beniton Stapleton was in destructive mode, hitting a big six over mid wicket and creamed one over long off to leave 21 runs from 18 deliveries.
Braxie Browne delivered the 8th over and immediately had Beniton Stapleton run out trying to thief a none existant single. Delorn Johnson came in and smashed a six, leaving 12 runs remaining from two overs. McCoy came back for the penultimate over. He delivered a no ball, which presented a free hit. The free-hit was a bouncer that was well bowled but the ball burst through the keeper going for 4, leaving 4 runs to win. Couple deliveries later, Johnson smashed a big six over long on, finishing the match in style. Beniton Stapleton would be crowned with the accolades as he scored a devastating 42 from 20 deliveries, hitting 1 four and 5 sixes – definitely one of the better innings seen in the VPL.
Summary Scores:
Grenadines Divers 82/9 (10 overs)
Salt Pond Breakers 85/5 (8.5 overs)