分类： sports

Central Castries has decisively advanced to the championship match of the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) Premier League Two-Day tournament, securing a seven-wicket victory against Babonneau in the semifinal clash at Mindoo Phillip Park. The team’s triumph was orchestrated by an extraordinary bowling performance from Kymani Sexius, complemented by critical batting contributions throughout the lineup.

The match commenced with Central Castries winning the toss and electing to field—a decision that immediately paid dividends. Seamer Dillan John set the tone by dismissing opener Dane Edward for a duck on just his third delivery. This breakthrough initiated a spectacular collapse for Babonneau, primarily engineered by Sexius. The bowler’s devastating spell included taking four consecutive wickets, leaving the opposition reeling at a precarious 24-5 within the first innings. Shervon Joseph offered a brief counterattack with a 34-run knock, but Babonneau was ultimately bundled out for a meager 90 runs. Sexius finished with a remarkable first-innings figure of 6-20 from 8.5 overs.

In response, Central Castries established a commanding position built on a formidable 87-run partnership between Theo Edward and Jamaal James. Edward, fresh from national Under-23 duties, played a dominant innings of 66 from 58 balls, while James provided sturdy support with 55 runs. Their efforts guided Central to a declaration at 209-9, securing a substantial 119-run first-innings lead. Shervon Joseph emerged as the most successful bowler for Babonneau, claiming 4-41.

Facing a massive deficit, Babonneau displayed significantly improved resilience in their second innings. Shervon Joseph anchored the effort with a patient 70 from 164 deliveries, well-supported by Qwaine Henry’s 52. Their partnership helped post a more competitive total of 229, setting Central Castries a target of 111 for victory. Sexius again featured prominently with the ball, taking 3-65 to complete a match haul of nine wickets.

The run chase encountered early turbulence as Central Castries lost three quick wickets. However, composure prevailed through Vernilius Gabriel and Stephen Naitram, who guided their team to the target with an unbroken partnership. Gabriel sealed the victory in style, hammering an unbeaten 40 from just 32 balls, while Naitram contributed a fluent 31 not out.

Central Castries now prepares to challenge the defending champions, Gros Islet, in the tournament final scheduled for December 19-20 at the same venue, with the coveted title at stake.

Saint Lucia’s Under-23 national cricket squad has returned home following an overwhelmingly successful tour of Dominica, having achieved a comprehensive victory across all formats of the bilateral series. The visiting team demonstrated exceptional prowess by securing clean sweeps in both the three-match 50-over series and the concluding three-day fixture, which concluded prematurely on December 11th due to their dominant performance.

The final match at Botanic Gardens in Portsmouth witnessed Saint Lucia’s strategic mastery when captain Tarrique Edward won the toss and elected to field first. This decision proved immediately fruitful as Dominica was dismissed for a modest 124 runs before tea on the opening day. The bowling attack displayed remarkable cohesion with Keon Gaston, Aaron Joseph, and Jaden Elibox each claiming two wickets. Joseph and Elibox particularly impressed with exceptional economy rates of 1.50.

Saint Lucia responded with 170 all out before day’s end, establishing a crucial 46-run lead. Theo Edward’s explosive batting performance anchored the innings with 67 runs from just 68 deliveries, including 11 boundaries and one six. Captain Tarrique Edward contributed 31 runs while Noelle Leo’s quickfire 17 from 13 balls maintained the scoring momentum.

The second day saw Dominica dismissed for 148 in their second innings, setting a modest target of 103 for victory. Isaiah Jones led the bowling charge with impressive figures of 3-20, supported by captain Edward’s 3-41. The chase proved effortless as Leo’s magnificent 40 from 31 balls (featuring four fours and three sixes) combined with Bolton Sayers’ 20 from 15 deliveries to secure an eight-wicket victory within two days.

The tour highlighted Saint Lucia’s emerging cricket talent, with balanced contributions from both batting and bowling units signaling promising development for the nation’s cricket program.

Amidst torrential rainfall at Beausejour, Gros Islet, club-affiliated athletes demonstrated exceptional prowess at the Secondary Schools Road Race on Thursday, December 11. Sir Arthur Lewis Community College emerged as the dominant force with Omarion Edwin and McKayla Oliver clinching top honors in their respective divisions during the challenging five-kilometer competition.

The race commenced at the northeastern perimeter of Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, with participants navigating a circuit around the facility before proceeding northward along Beausejour Promenade. The route continued past the Saint Lucia Sports Academy toward Bella Rosa Road before culminating back at the cricket ground.

Edwin, a seasoned competitor from Survivors Track Club with two CARIFTA appearances, secured the Under-18 boys’ title with an impressive time of 18:28. He outpaced Micoud Secondary’s Tafari Martin (18:44) and Choiseul’s Demille Theodore (18:57). In the Under-16 category, Soufriere’s Chaz Alexander delivered a standout performance with a winning time of 18:52, surpassing Tai Joseph (SLSA) and Jamal Cadette (Soufriere).

SALCC further demonstrated its athletic depth through Daniel Hippolyte’s victory in the U20 boys’ race (19:59), with teammate Daniel Martin securing second place. St Mary’s College’s Jaylan McDonald claimed the U14 title in 21:45, leading Wayndell Etienne (Patricia D James Secondary) and Jervon Charlery (Vieux Fort Comprehensive).

On the girls’ side, Road Busters athlete McKayla Oliver mastered the adverse conditions to win the U20 division in 23:02, finishing 30 seconds ahead of U14 champion Kayleigh Landers who placed second overall. U18 winner Angelle Joseph completed the top three finishers. The podium was rounded out by SALCC’s Clerissa Placide and SLSA’s Layla Jn Baptiste.

Joseph captured the U18 girls’ crown in 23:39 representing Clendon Mason Memorial, while CARIFTA athlete Isabelle Emilienne (SLSA) earned bronze. SLSA achieved a remarkable 1-2 finish in the U16 girls category through Laila Nicholas (25:06) and Aria Andrew, with Soufriere’s Kena Butcher taking third. Landers secured her U14 victory in 23:32 for VFCSS, outperforming Daniella Lambert (St Joseph’s Convent) and Briann Jean (SLSA).

Mabouya Valley has solidified its reputation as a powerhouse in Saint Lucian youth football by securing its second age-group championship within months. The team captured the Saint Lucia Football Association Under-10 Boys’ Championship title on December 13th, adding to their October triumph in the Under-12 division.

The decisive final match unfolded at the SLFA Technical Centre in Grande Riviere, Dennery, where Mabouya Valley delivered a commanding 4-0 performance against Marchand. The victory was characterized by exceptional offensive execution and early dominance that set the tone for the contest.

La Ressource Primary student Mikeige Fenelon initiated the scoring barrage within the opening three minutes, demonstrating remarkable precision. His teammate Zackim Francois, from Richfond Combined School, extended the lead just two minutes later. The offensive showcase continued as Leyantus John, another Richfond Combined scholar, netted the third goal in the ninth minute. Francois concluded the scoring spectacle with his second goal in the 54th minute, cementing the comprehensive victory.

The championship followed a condensed knockout format with the top four teams competing in three matches over a single week. Despite the abbreviated schedule, Zackim Francois emerged as the tournament’s standout performer, amassing an impressive seven goals across matches—achieving one hat-trick and two braces.

In the third-place playoff, Canaries initially established control against Desruisseaux with Ken Alexander scoring in the seventh minute and Kyron Beckford adding another in the 10th. However, Desruisseaux mounted a spirited comeback with Anil Jules reducing the deficit in the 15th minute before Thomas Charles secured victory with two goals in the 25th and 35th minutes, earning his team the consolation prize.

In a dramatic conclusion to the Saint Lucian football season, La Clery Football Club successfully defended their Semi-Professional Premier League championship with a nerve-wracking penalty shootout victory against Vieux Fort South. The national day showdown on December 13th at Soufrière Stadium attracted a capacity crowd that witnessed footballing drama both on and off the pitch.

The championship match pitted last year’s Tier 2 champions Vieux Fort South against the dominant La Clery side that had enjoyed a spectacular 2024 campaign. Both teams had secured their playoff berths by finishing in the top two league positions, with Vieux Fort South holding the distinction of being the only team to defeat La Clery during the preliminary round. The southerners advanced to the final with a 3-1 semifinal victory over Gros Islet, while La Clery edged past Canaries with a 2-1 scoreline.

The evening kickoff at 8 PM produced a cagey opening period with neither side creating significant scoring opportunities. The deadlock was finally broken early in the second half when Vieux Fort South’s Obafemi Poyotte capitalized on a defensive error, calmly slotting the ball into an empty net in the 47th minute. La Clery demonstrated their championship mentality by responding with an equalizer in the 58th minute, with Milan Jules converting from a corner kick situation.

The match encountered an unexpected interruption due to crowd disturbances in the stands, resulting in approximately 15 minutes of stoppage time. Despite the extended play, neither team could find a winning goal during regular and added time. The championship ultimately came down to a penalty shootout where La Clery emerged victorious with a 4-3 margin, claiming the trophy, medals, and the accompanying EC$30,000 prize money.

Following the emotional victory, La Clery captain Devon St. Prix revealed the profound significance behind their triumph, dedicating the championship to teammate Ajani Hippolyte who had tragically passed away earlier in the year. St. Prix emphasized that his team was competing for “more than just the game,” adding a deeply personal dimension to their championship defense.