La Soufriere Hikers vs Botanical Gardens Rangers Qualifier 1 – 26th Match VPL 4
Hikers won the toss and chose to bowl.
Hodge bowled the new ball and cramped the Rangers batsmen for room and kept the runs to 3/0 after the first over. Hikers missed a run out opportunity off Keron Cottoy during the 2nd over. Cottoy was dropped two deliveries later, trying to power a short delivery over the off side. Rangers struggled to get the ball off the square as they could only get to 18/1 in the powerplay.
Form man Wayne Harper was removed attempting a pull shot but only managed to edge it and presented an easy return catch to Rayan Williams, who continued to extend his lead as the tournament’s leading wicket taker. Keron Cottoy had another life as he was mis stumped for the 2nd time by wicket keeper Gidron Pope. Nigel Small managed to bowl him down comprehensively during the next delivery to see Rangers struggling at 22/3 from 5.3 overs.
There was some exceptional fielding on display by the Hikers. Jeheil Walters sprung acrobatically at point to take a catch that was already behind him and removed Larry Edwards. Dillon Douglas lept on the long on boundary and unbelievably saved a 6 while leaping over the boundary and pulling it back into play. Rangers got to 75/5 at the end of their innings, a well below par score for such a good batting surface. Mickel Joseph top scored with 28 not out from 17 deliveries, hitting 2 fours and 2 sixes. Kenneth Dember played a good cameo, scoring 21 from 8 deliveries, hitting 1 four and 2 sixes.
Rangers started their defense poorly, dropping Gidron Pope off the first delivery bowled by Larry Edwards. Rangers bowled fairly well in the powerplay, even though Hikers managed to pick up 2 fours and 1 six, they only got to 28/0 after 4 overs.
Hikers had a big 5th over, taking 19 from it, with Gidron Pope slogging two big sixes off Keron Cottoy. Hodge finished the over with a cut shot through backward point. Pope pulled for four then slogged for six to push Hikers to 61/0 after 6 overs. Rangers put down another catch during the 7th over. Gidron Pope brought up his half century from 24 deliveries. Pope finished the match with a top score of 56 not out from 25 deliveries, hitting 4 fours and 4 sixes. Kavem Hodge remained not out, scoring 23 from 18 deliveries, hitting 1 four and 1 six. Hikers completed a comprehensive win, taking victory by 10 wickets.
Botanical Gardens Rangers 75/5 (10 overs)
La Soufriere Hikers 81/0 (7.1 overs)