The Ministry of Education, Youth Development, Sports and Digital Transformation’s Under-19 Boys’ Cricket Tournament commenced with thrilling matches across Saint Lucia on Thursday, featuring a dramatic super-over victory by Saint Lucia Sports Academy (SLSA) against defending champions Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC).
In a highly anticipated rematch at Francis Baba Lastic Grounds in Gros Islet, SLSA secured redemption for their 97-run defeat in last April’s final. The match, reduced to 29 overs per side, saw SALCC post 124-7 with Johnathan Daniel’s impressive 58 (including six fours and four sixes) and Tyler Venner’s 35. SLSA’s bowling attack was led by Liam Joseph’s remarkable 4-7 in four overs, supported by Clint Dickson’s 2-37.
SLSA matched the total exactly at 124-6, forcing a super-over decider. Dickson (36) and Zannaki Louis (30) were instrumental in the chase. The tie-breaker saw SLSA dominate with 15-0 while restricting SALCC to just 7-1, claiming a spectacular victory.
Meanwhile, at Balata Playing Field, Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School recorded a comfortable four-wicket win against Corinth Secondary. Corinth was dismissed for 115 in 18.3 overs, with Zidane Wilson top-scoring at 42. Nathan Mongroo’s 3-4 led Hess’s bowling attack. Hess comfortably reached 116-6, fueled by Kaleb Charles’ 31 and Shadei St Omer’s 26.
In another dominant performance, St Mary’s College crushed Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School by 117 runs. SMC posted 190-5 in 20 overs, featuring Delaun Clifford’s standout 69 and John Michael Auguste’s 32. Their bowling attack then restricted SISSS to 73-9, with Kyan Serieux taking 3-12 and Clifford adding 2-8 to his batting heroics.
The tournament’s second scheduled game at FBLG was decided by default as Babonneau Secondary forfeited due to unforeseen circumstances, granting Patricia D. James Secondary School an automatic victory.