The final weekend of group-stage play in the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) Men’s Super 50 Tournament delivered high-octane batting drama, headlined by two blistering individual centuries and dominant victories that finalized the knockout stage lineup. Across three competitive groups, teams fought for their place in the upcoming quarterfinals, with Gros Islet, Micoud, and Mon Repos notching lopsided wins to seal their positions, while Central Castries claimed an automatic group lead via forfeit.
On Saturday at the Francis Baba Lastic Grounds, Group B’s decider between Gros Islet and Vieux Fort North looked poised for a low-scoring affair early, when Gros Islet slumped to 92 runs with seven wickets down. But a stunning counterattack from lower-order batters Jard Goodman and Tyrel Chicot turned the tide completely, as the pair forged a match-defining 183-run eighth-wicket partnership that propelled their side to a mammoth total.
Goodman turned in one of the tournament’s standout performances, notching his second century of the competition and finishing unbeaten on 123 runs off just 64 deliveries. His innings included four boundaries and a staggering 13 maximums, while Chicot contributed an equally aggressive 87 runs from 45 balls, with seven fours and seven sixes of his own. By the end of their 26 overs, Gros Islet had posted 323 runs for the loss of eight wickets.
Vieux Fort North never came close to chasing the daunting target, folding to 133 runs for nine wickets in their allotted overs. Merkenry St Luce top-scored for the side with 27 runs, while Kalvin Williams added 25. Bowler Tarrique Edward claimed two wickets for 32 runs, and Isaiah Jones took two wickets for just six runs to lock in the 190-run victory. The win left the two-time defending champions Gros Islet as the only undefeated side in Group B, with three wins from three matches, while Vieux Fort North ended the preliminary round winless with three losses.
Across at the Wenn Playing Field in Group A, Micoud delivered an equally dominant performance to secure their quarterfinal spot, beating Dennery by a 234-run margin. Opener Mervin Wells led the charge with a rapid-fire century of his own, scoring 115 runs off only 55 balls for a strike rate of 209, smashing 13 fours and seven sixes along the way. Wells and opening partner Tristan Norbal, who contributed 55 runs from 46 balls, built a 138-run first-wicket stand in less than 12 overs to set the tone for the innings.
Micoud closed their 24 overs at 288 runs for five wickets, before their bowlers skittled Dennery for just 54 runs in 9.2 overs. Avalinus Callender top-scored for Dennery with 35 runs, but Ted Jonas took three wickets for 23 runs and Mcwayne Vidal claimed two for 28 to seal the win. The result pushed Micoud into second place in Group A with two wins and one loss, behind group leaders and unbeaten Babonneau. Dennery, who previously forfeited a match to Choiseul, finished the preliminary round without a single win.
Group C’s final matches concluded on Sunday at the Wenn Playing Field, where Mon Repos locked in second place with a 102-run win over Mabouya Valley. Batting first, Mon Repos reached 229 runs for six wickets in 32 overs, powered by half-centuries from Micah Naitram (58), Cody Fontenelle (54 not out), and Shawnil Edward, who hit an unbeaten 60 runs from 33 deliveries including five fours and four sixes.
Mabouya Valley was bowled out for 127 runs in 16.4 overs in reply: Rick Smith notched 41 runs and Chad Polius added 40, but a devastating spell of bowling from Liam Joseph, who claimed four wickets for just 15 runs, combined with three wickets each from Edward and Fontenelle, secured the win for Mon Repos. Mon Repos ended the group stage with two wins and one loss, while Mabouya Valley finished with one win and two losses. Central Castries claimed the Group C title with three wins, including a walkover victory after Desruisseaux forfeited their Saturday match.
All three group winners — Babonneau from Group A, Gros Islet from Group B, and Central Castries from Group C — enter the knockout quarterfinal round next weekend with perfect undefeated records from the preliminary stage, positioning them as early favorites to claim the tournament title.