Cricket enthusiasts witnessed an epic showdown on Saturday, March 28th at Mindoo Philip Park, where Babonneau narrowly defeated Choiseul by a single wicket in a heart-stopping Prime Minister’s Cup Final that extended to the tournament’s ultimate delivery. The electrifying atmosphere, fueled predominantly by vocal Choiseul supporters, reached fever pitch as the match culminated in a finish reminiscent of the previous year’s championship thriller.
Choiseul, having overcome local rivals Soufriere in their semifinal clash, entered the final determined to dethrone the defending champions. Their innings commenced explosively with Jason Simon’s blistering 41-run contribution, though their momentum was substantially curtailed by Babonneau’s bowling ace Sacchin Cepal. Delivering a masterclass performance that earned him Finals MVP honors, Cepal recorded impressive figures of 4-18, creating critical early breakthroughs during the powerplay overs.
The middle overs witnessed Babonneau’s spin duo—Larry Edward (2-16) and Yunieski Gustave (2-19)—apply relentless pressure through disciplined bowling, ultimately restricting Choiseul to a seemingly manageable total of 137-9. However, Babonneau’s response began shakily as they lost seasoned openers Dane Edward and Johnnel Eugene within the powerplay. A period of cautious consolidation followed, with the required run rate escalating steadily.
As the match approached its climax, Babonneau’s innings descended into chaos courtesy of Choiseul captain Kuston Jules’ heroic bowling effort. The skipper claimed six wickets while conceding merely 27 runs across his four overs, singlehandedly reigniting his team’s hopes. With six runs needed from the final over, Jules commenced with two immediate wickets, intensifying the drama exponentially.
The equation narrowed to two required from the last ball, bringing McKay Brigitte to the crease. Having struggled throughout his innings, Brigitte delivered under extreme pressure, striking the ball toward third man where a fielding error permitted the decisive second run. Babonneau’s players erupted in euphoric celebration as they secured their second consecutive title in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.
During post-match ceremonies, tournament organizers recognized several outstanding performers: Stephen Naitram (Most Runs, 359), Dillan John (Most Wickets, 14), and Dane Edward (Tournament MVP). Babonneau’s head coach Jervaughn Charles, in conversation with St. Lucia Times, described the victory as a ‘nerve-wracking, emotional rollercoaster’ while paying tribute to Choiseul’s exceptional performance in a contest that exemplified cricket’s capacity for breathtaking uncertainty.