Carib Scope

分类： sports

  • Lions stumble, Warriors keep winning in youth hoops

    Lions stumble, Warriors keep winning in youth hoops

    The fifth annual Aloysius “Loloy” Daniel Youth Basketball Tournament delivered its most thrilling matchup of the competition so far on Wednesday evening, as the Antigua & Barbuda Pitbulls pulled off a last-second 68-65 victory over the East Coast Academy (ECA) Lions to close out Day 3 at Beausejour Gymnasium. The win shook up the tournament standings, while defending three-time champion New Chapter Academy (NCA) Warriors extended their undefeated streak and Guyana’s D-Up Academy notched its first win of the tournament.

    The nightcap matchup delivered all the tension and drama of a late-tournament clash, long before the final buzzer. The Antigua & Barbuda side got off to a blistering start, leveraging sharp, fast-break transition offense to build a 23-12 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Lions refused to fold, however, and stormed back with a dominant 21-10 scoring run in the second quarter to knot the game at 33 heading into halftime.

    After a tight third quarter, the Pitbulls carried a 52-47 advantage into the final frame, at one point stretching their lead to six points. As clock wound down, the Lions mounted a furious comeback, erasing the deficit to tie the score at 65 with mere seconds left on the game clock.

    What looked set to send the game into overtime took a stunning turn: The Lions secured a rebound off what would have been the Pitbulls’ final game-winning attempt, but with just six seconds remaining to advance the ball, a careless dribble out of the backcourt turned into a game-changing turnover. The Pitbulls capitalized on the steal, sinking a buzzer-beating field goal and drawing a foul to add an extra point from the free-throw line, sealing the three-point win before the final horn sounded.

    Individually, the Pitbulls were led by standout Gabriel De Souza, who dropped 25 points and pulled down four rebounds to anchor his team’s victory. Yohhan Nicholas contributed a double-digit effort with 13 points and six rebounds. For the Lions, Nezan Lewis turned in an impressive double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds, while Sage Lewis added 17 points and Nyel Joseph chipped in 15 points in the narrow loss.

    Earlier in the day, the three-time defending champion NCA Warriors from Trinidad & Tobago stayed perfect through three matches, crushing the ECA Tigers by a lopsided 124-31 score. Josiah John led the Warriors’ offensive charge with 31 points, 10 steals, and seven rebounds, while Zion Roberts notched a double-double of 18 points and 11 steals, and Zaiden Charles added 17 points. The Tigers’ top performer, Rushan Williams, finished the game with 12 points and five rebounds in the losing effort.

    In the day’s second matchup, Guyana’s D-Up Academy celebrated its first win of the tournament after dropping its first two matches, cruising to a 71-30 victory over Basketball For The Future (BFTF) Pitbulls. Aliandro Wickman paced D-Up with 22 points and seven rebounds, and Eli Archer backed him up with 18 points and seven rebounds of his own. For BFTF, Azem Edward turned in a bright spot with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.

  • Noor Ahmad ruled out of CPL in blow to Kings

    Noor Ahmad ruled out of CPL in blow to Kings

    The 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has hit an early setback for the Saint Lucia Kings, who will be forced to take the field without star left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad after the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) revoked his No Objection Certificate (NOC) — the mandatory administrative clearance required for international cricketers to compete in overseas franchise tournaments.

    Ahmad, 21, was a foundational piece of the Kings’ historic 2024 CPL title run. The young spinner led the entire squad in wickets last season, proving particularly devastating on the slow, spin-friendly pitches common across Caribbean venues, where his left-arm spin consistently troubled batters. His absence leaves a significant gap in the Kings’ bowling attack ahead of the new campaign.

    Moving quickly to shore up their roster, the franchise has signed South African-born American slow left-arm spinner Obus Pienaar as a direct replacement for Ahmad. Pienaar, a right-handed batter who adds all-around depth to the squad, is already en route to Saint Lucia to join the team ahead of their upcoming home fixtures.

    To contextualize the NOC policy that led to Ahmad’s withdrawal: these official documents, issued by a player’s home national cricket board, are designed to prioritize national team commitments over participation in global T20 franchise leagues, while also helping governing bodies manage player workload and fitness to avoid injury fatigue. Sources indicate Ahmad recently completed a stint in England’s popular The Hundred competition, leading the ACB to revoke his clearance for the CPL.

    In an official public statement released this week, the Saint Lucia Kings franchise acknowledged the disappointment of the development. “We are disappointed that Noor will be unable to join the team and wishes him all the best,” the statement read, adding that the squad remains fully “focused on the matches ahead.”

    Beyond the Ahmad shakeup, the Kings have provided updates on two other roster moves. New Zealand opening wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert is still confirmed to be available for the remainder of the tournament, easing fan concerns about a second high-profile withdrawal. Additionally, West Indies opening batter John Campbell has been brought into the squad as a temporary replacement for Jewel Andrew, who is currently sidelined while recovering from an ongoing injury.

  • CSA launches new trophy as regional sailing circuit takes shape

    CSA launches new trophy as regional sailing circuit takes shape

    The Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) has announced two major updates to the region’s competitive sailing landscape: the launch of a brand-new overall championship trophy and a revised five-year event calendar running from 2027 to 2031. The changes are designed to streamline scheduling, cut down on conflicting event dates, and boost the Caribbean’s standing as a top global destination for competitive sailing.

    Central to the new plan is the consolidation of all the region’s top-tier regattas into a single four-month competitive racing season, anchored by the newly introduced CSA Majors Trophy. This prestigious new award will honor the sailor or team that delivers the strongest consistent performance across five of the Caribbean’s most high-profile sailing events: the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series, RORC Caribbean 600, St Maarten Heineken Regatta, Antigua Racing Cup, and BVI Spring Regatta. The overall champion of the circuit will be officially crowned following the conclusion of the BVI Spring Regatta.

    The updated five-year calendar brings key adjustments to event timing to eliminate overlapping schedules, a longstanding pain point for competitive teams that want to compete in multiple regional events. Barbados Sailing Week will retain its annual January spot on the calendar throughout the entire 2027–2031 period, while the St Maarten Heineken Regatta also remains a core fixture on the circuit. The Antigua Racing Cup will shift to an earlier date in the revised schedule to accommodate the consolidated four-month window for major events.

    CSA President Bastien Poutier emphasized that the structural changes strike a balance between building a professional, accessible competitive circuit and preserving the iconic adventurous spirit that sets Caribbean sailing apart. “This calendar delivers clarity and momentum for our sport,” Poutier explained. “Concentrating our marquee events into a four-month window creates a true circuit for serious campaigners — without losing the adventurous spirit that defines Caribbean racing.”

    The CSA Majors Trophy becomes the third regional award recognizing consistent cross-event performance, joining the existing Budget Marine Windies Multihull Trophy and Travellers Trophy. CSA officials noted that the overarching goal of both the new trophy and revised calendar is to maximize competitor participation across the region’s events, attracting more top sailing talent from around the globe and cementing the Caribbean’s reputation as a world-class sailing host.

  • ABFA Criticised Over “sycophantic endorsement” of FIFA President

    ABFA Criticised Over “sycophantic endorsement” of FIFA President

    A public declaration from the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) throwing unreserved support behind FIFA President Gianni Infantino and hailing his tenure leading global soccer has sparked sharp criticism from football industry observers.

    The unsigned statement released by the ABFA praises Infantino’s leadership as visionary, describing his policy agenda as transformative and highlighting his administration’s investments in grassroots football development across smaller member associations. This public endorsement comes just months after Ickford “Nyah” Roberts won the ABFA presidential election in May, beating rival candidate Fernando Abraham in the final voting round. Roberts stepped into the role after Everton “Batow” Gonsalves, who held the presidency for four consecutive terms starting from his first election in 2008, stepped down.

    But industry outlet Inside World Football has pushed back against the glowing tribute, dismissing the statement as excessively fawning and devoid of meaningful content. The publication points out that the endorsement puts the ABFA at odds with a number of fellow Caribbean and Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) member associations, which have openly raised concerns about the direction of Infantino’s policies in recent years.

    A key point of contention raised by Inside World Football is the ABFA’s highlighting of FIFA funding delivered under Infantino’s watch. The outlet notes that much of the funding cited by the association was already allocated before Infantino assumed the FIFA presidency, and that the funds are resources that all FIFA member associations are legally entitled to receive as part of the governing body’s standard distribution framework.

    The publication warns that the high-profile endorsement could have significant diplomatic consequences for the ABFA within regional football circles. It argues that the public show of support for Infantino could isolate the association from Caribbean football officials who are currently lobbying for widespread governance reforms and a larger slice of global football revenue for the Caribbean region, a bloc that has long argued it is under-resourced compared to larger football confederations.

    Notably, Inside World Football frames this statement as Roberts’ first major foray into the complex landscape of international football politics. It also raises pressing questions about whether the hardline pro-Infantino position laid out in the statement actually represents the views of the broader Antiguan and Barbudan football community, rather than just the new leadership. The ABFA has long held a prominent, influential role across Caribbean football, including serving in key leadership positions within the Caribbean Football Union for decades.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Hamptons Challenge Marks 16 Years With Sag Harbor Regatta

    Antigua and Barbuda Hamptons Challenge Marks 16 Years With Sag Harbor Regatta

    The 16th iteration of the annual Hamptons Challenge Regatta, a landmark sailing event bridging the Caribbean sailing hub of Antigua and Barbuda and New York’s Hamptons region, successfully concluded in Sag Harbor over the weekend, marking 16 years of shared maritime heritage, tourism collaboration, and youth-focused philanthropy.

    Hosted by Antigua and Barbuda in partnership with i-tri, a Long Island-based nonprofit that supports young women’s personal growth through triathlon training and mentorship, the event brought 23 competitive yachts to Noyack Bay for a day of racing organized by the Peconic Bay Sailing Association. With ideal weather conditions—clear blue skies and steady winds—sailors from across the region competed for the regatta’s top prize: a fully sponsored trip to compete in the 2027 Antigua Sailing Week, one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious international sailing events held from April 21 to 25.

    The weekend kicked off with an official media luncheon, where Sag Harbor Mayor Tom Gardella formally welcomed the government and tourism delegation led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, and Investment H. Charles “Max” Fernandez. In his remarks, Fernandez emphasized that the regatta extends far beyond competitive sailing, noting that it brings to life the deep-rooted maritime and cultural bonds between Sag Harbor and Antigua’s historic English Harbour. “Both communities have centuries of seafaring heritage, and this annual gathering lets us honor that history while building new relationships and investing in young people through sport,” Fernandez said.

    After hours of close racing on the bay, Peter Beardsley at the helm of *Glory Days* claimed the overall first place title. Rich Priodo’s *Zorro* finished second, while Vidar Minkovsky’s *Mind Goblin* rounded out the top three overall standings.

    The competition wrapped up with the “Taste of the Caribbean” Awards Celebration held at the popular local restaurant Bell & Anchor, attended by a diverse crowd of sailing enthusiasts, local community leaders, residents, and special guests including former Sag Harbor Mayor James Larocca. In addition to honoring the winning crews, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority presented a $5,000 donation to partner nonprofit i-tri during the ceremony. A two-night all-expenses-paid stay at Antigua’s Blue Waters Resort & Spa, auctioned off to guests, raised an additional $3,000 for the organization. Attendees also got a immersive preview of Caribbean culture during the gala, with Antiguan-inspired cuisine, signature rum cocktails, and local musical performances turning the evening into a vibrant island celebration.

    Beyond racing and charity, the event served as a key platform for Antigua and Barbuda to showcase its appeal as a world-class sailing and travel destination. Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, explained that the regatta is a core part of the destination’s global tourism strategy. “This event lets us connect directly with travelers who prioritize authentic culture, community engagement, and top-tier recreational experiences,” James said. “It gives us an unparalleled opportunity to introduce Antigua and Barbuda to an influential audience of sailors, travel industry leaders, and cultural influencers, right here in the Hamptons.”

    The weekend also included a VIP luncheon for Long Island travel advisors, hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. U.S. Director of Tourism Dean Fenton highlighted the critical role travel advisors play in connecting visitors with the destination, noting that lasting industry partnerships are built on personal trust and relationship-building, not just transactional sales.

    As the 16th anniversary event came to a close, participants reflected on the enduring power of the partnership between the two coastal communities. What began as a single sailing race 16 years ago has grown into a annual tradition that builds a lasting bridge between Long Island’s Noyack Bay and Antigua’s English Harbour, one race, one connection, and one authentic Caribbean experience at a time. As the sun set over Sag Harbor’s waterfront, sailors, travel professionals, and guests raised a toast to 16 years of competition, camaraderie, giving back, and Caribbean culture, celebrating a partnership that continues to grow in impact year after year.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Top Group B and Advance to CFU U14 Semifinals

    Antigua and Barbuda Top Group B and Advance to CFU U14 Semifinals

    In a thrilling display of youth football talent at the 2026 CFU U14 Challenge Series—Boys, Antigua and Barbuda’s young under-14 national team has booked its spot in the tournament’s semifinal round, capping off an undefeated group stage campaign with a flawless three-win record. Facing off against the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Antigua and Barbuda side pulled off a comeback victory after falling behind early, ultimately securing a 3-1 win that sealed their top position in Tier II Group B.

    Goals from three different players anchored the dramatic turnaround: Leyland Powell, Kiique Martin, and Tevon Henderson each found the back of the net to turn the tide in their favor. With three full matches completed, the perfect performance earned Antigua and Barbuda nine full points, three points clear of second-place finishers the Cayman Islands. Dominica claimed third position in the group standings, while the Turks and Caicos Islands rounded out the four-team group in fourth place.

    Across the entire group stage, Antigua and Barbuda’s attacking cohesion has stood out, with the side netting eight goals total while conceding three, leaving them with a strong positive goal difference of plus-five heading into the knockout round. The team is now set to compete for a spot in the tournament final this Friday, with all semifinal matches hosted at the Cap Cana Sports City in the Dominican Republic.

  • Netball Association launches game changers programme

    Netball Association launches game changers programme

    On a recent Saturday at the Fancy Hardcourt sports facility, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association (SVGNA) officially kicked off its ambitious new Game Changers Netball Grassroots Development Programme — a multi-year initiative designed to grow the sport from the ground up across the island nation.

    The opening event drew a diverse cross-section of local sports stakeholders, including young aspiring athletes between the ages of 4 and 14, both male and female, alongside sport administrators, community leaders, and local residents. For the young participants, the first session served as an accessible introduction to the core fundamentals of netball, with an early focus on building foundational movement skills and fostering collaborative teamwork from the very start of the programme.

    Alongside training for young athletes, the launch included a dedicated educational workshop for sports administrators on up-to-date official netball rules. The session was led by Moeth Gaymes, who holds dual roles as Chair of the SVGNA Umpires and Technical Officials Committee and is an internationally recognized award-winning netball umpire, bringing expert-level knowledge to the training.

    A core pillar of the entire Game Changers programme is its emphasis on safeguarding and safe sport principles. Organizers have integrated targeted training modules that reinforce the shared responsibility of all stakeholders to cultivate athletic spaces that are safe, respectful, and supportive for young athletes and every person involved in the sport. This focus aligns with growing global efforts to prioritize child protection and athlete well-being in grassroots sports development.

    Several high-profile local sports and political figures attended the launch to mark the occasion. Attendees included Shevern John, Parliamentary Representative for North Windward; Shimano Bailey, who serves as both Vice President of the SVG Olympic Committee (SVGOC) and Chair of the SVGOC Safeguarding/Safe Sport Commission; Keith Joseph, General Secretary of the SVGOC; and multiple members of the SVGNA Executive Committee.

    The ground-breaking initiative has been made possible through funding and strategic support from the Commonwealth Games Committee, with coordination and local facilitation handled by the SVG Olympic Committee. The programme will run through December 2026, holding scheduled Saturday sessions between 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon across two host venues: the Fancy Hardcourt and the Chilli Hardcourt in Georgetown.

    The rotating venue schedule splits programming across the two sites: Fancy Hardcourt will host sessions from August 15 to September 12, and again from December 5 to 19, while Chilli Hardcourt will run sessions from September 19 to October 10, and from October 31 to November 28 each cycle.

    Beyond just building on-court skills for young players, the Game Changers programme takes a holistic approach to netball development, targeting growth across all segments of the local sport ecosystem: athletes, new coaches, aspiring umpires, and local administrators. Alongside skill-building, the initiative promotes core life values including teamwork, personal discipline, leadership, and a deeper understanding of the sport’s structure and ethos.

    In a statement following the launch, SVGNA representatives confirmed that the association will continue expanding grassroots netball development work through partnerships with local community groups. The long-term goal of the programme is to create broader accessible opportunities for young people across St. Vincent and the Grenadines to participate in netball, while strengthening the institutional capacity of administrators and stakeholders to grow the sport sustainably across the country for years to come.

  • Column: Sterkere SML?

    Column: Sterkere SML?

    As the Suriname Major League (SML) prepares to kick off its fourth season, participating clubs across the country have entered a critical pre-season transfer window, scrambling to reinforce their squads ahead of the new campaign. This annual rush for new talent is a long-established ritual in Suriname’s top football flight, as league rules do not allow mid-season player acquisitions, leaving the pre-season window as the only opportunity for clubs to reshape their rosters. For decades, Surinamese top-flight clubs have relied on this transfer period to strengthen their sides, with historical recruitment focusing mostly on promoting standout young prospects from domestic youth academies to the first team, or poaching established talents from direct league rivals to gain a competitive edge over competing sides.

    Over the past several seasons, however, a noticeable new trend has emerged in SML recruitment: an increasing number of clubs are turning to foreign player signings to complement domestic talent, with the goal of building a strong enough squad to not only claim the SML title, but also perform well in regional continental competitions when they qualify. For the upcoming 2026-2027 season, multiple clubs have upped the ante, committing significant resources to boost their competitiveness. Some have locked in deals for promising young domestic prospects, while also bringing in several experienced players from neighboring countries in the Caribbean and South American region. What is more, this transfer window has already seen multiple players and a full first-team head coach recruited from continental Africa to raise the overall technical and competitive level of the league.

    This growing openness to bringing in foreign talent is a development that deserves broad praise. For years, Surinamese football stakeholders have acknowledged the country’s abundant natural football talent, yet national and club sides have consistently fallen short of expectations at regional competitions. It is widely hoped that the new foreign arrivals and the imported head coach will be given the necessary support, time and autonomy to prove their value and help lift SML standards.

    The large financial investments several clubs have made in new signings have pushed fan and public expectations to historic highs for the upcoming season. Local players are encouraged not to be discouraged by the influx of new foreign talent, but instead to seize the opportunity to collaborate with their new teammates, gel as a cohesive unit and compete as one unified team. There is widespread optimism that the transfer strategy pursued by these ambitious clubs will deliver the intended results, and that the upfront investments will eventually pay off both on and off the pitch.

    Even as the recruitment of foreign talent is widely celebrated, industry observers stress that club leadership must recognize that further structural professionalization is a non-negotiable requirement to build sustained, long-term success. To compete consistently at a high level, clubs need to establish formal legal foundations and operate along modern, business-aligned governance models that make them attractive to professional football stakeholders. The end goal for Surinamese football should be a full transformation of club structures, moving from informal single-owner operations to formally registered organizations with multiple shareholders, where key governance decisions are made by a general meeting of shareholders.

    This formal structured governance model provides legal certainty for all stakeholders, and makes clubs far more attractive for professionals from across football-related disciplines to join. It also guarantees long-term organizational continuity, even if the founding owner steps back or is unable to continue leading the club for any reason. A formal structured organization also allows for better oversight of all club operations, enabling leadership to make timely adjustments when challenges arise. The recent push to recruit foreign players and coaches is a promising first step toward strengthening the SML, but far more systemic change is required to build a structurally stronger and more sustainable league for the future.

  • Five Bajans earn CWI camp call-up

    Five Bajans earn CWI camp call-up

    Cricket West Indies (CWI) has named 22 of the most promising young female cricketers from across the Caribbean to attend a two-week elite High-Performance camp in Antigua, with preparations for the 2027 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup now ramping up. Five players from Barbados earned selections, marking the second-largest national contingent at the camp – trailing only tournament winners Trinidad and Tobago, who secured seven spots. Among the Barbadian group is Eboni Brathwaite, the top run-scorer of the recently concluded CWI Rising Stars Under-19 Women’s Championship, where Barbados claimed the runner-up position behind Trinidad and Tobago.

    Regional representation is rounded out by four selections from the Leeward Islands, two picks apiece for the Windward Islands, Jamaica and Guyana, reflecting a broad scouting of talent across Caribbean territories. The high-intensity camp kicked off on Monday and will run through August 29, bringing emerging players straight from the regional championship grounds to the elite training environment in a deliberately structured timeline.

    Dwain Gill, CWI’s High-Performance Manager, explained the strategic logic behind the immediate transition from competitive tournament to specialized training. “The Rising Stars Championship gave us a valuable opportunity to see these players compete, respond to pressure and demonstrate their potential in a regional environment,” Gill noted. “We did not want that assessment process to end with the tournament. Bringing the selected players directly into camp allows us to build on what we have seen, work more closely with them and begin addressing the areas that will be critical to their progression.”

    Selections for the camp were not based solely on raw tournament stats; CWI’s selection panel weighed multiple factors including on-field performance results, in-depth technical evaluations, age eligibility requirements, tactical game awareness, on-pitch temperament, competitive drive and overall physical fitness. Once at the camp, athletes will undergo a holistic development program targeting four core domains: technical skill refinement, tactical game understanding, physical conditioning, and mental resilience for high-stakes competition.

    Leading the on-field training schedule is Ryan Austin, assistant coach of the senior West Indies women’s national team, who will be joined by two seasoned cricket figures: former West Indies wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich and Ramesh Subasinghe, head coach of the West Indies Academy. Beyond Brathwaite, the full 22-player roster includes Davehjah Brown, Zaniyah Bruce, CQuinya Dasent, Jessica Davis, Kaela George, Brianna Harricharan, Sabriel Headley, Allia Henry, Theanny Herbert-Mayers, Jadaeya Holder, Shriya Jairam, Danielle Manns, Jannah Mohammed, Brianna Plummer, Sian Ramnarine, Samara Ramnath, Zara Skerritt, Amrita Ramtahal, Jaeda Tyrell, Leanga Warner and Aaliyah Weekes. The camp marks a key milestone in CWI’s long-term pathway to develop a competitive squad for the 2027 global tournament, identifying and nurturing the next generation of West Indies female cricket stars.

  • Paul powers Kingsmen past Patriots

    Paul powers Kingsmen past Patriots

    The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League’s home stretch for the Jamaica Kingsmen concluded with a dominant 51-run triumph over the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Tuesday, powered by a career-defining all-round display from all-rounder Keemo Paul.

    What looked set to be another disappointing outing for the Kingsmen turned into a memorable victory after a catastrophic start to their batting innings. Opening bowler Saurabh Netravalkar ripped through the hosts’ top order in the very first over, sending both Kirk McKenzie and Keacy Carty back to the pavilion without adding a single run to the scoreboard. The collapse continued through the first seven overs, and by the eighth, Jamaica was reeling at 54 runs for the loss of four wickets, with the Patriots firmly in control of the contest.

    That is when Paul and Kingsmen captain Rovman Powell stepped up to reverse the momentum. The pair forged a critical 99-run partnership for the fifth wicket, stabilizing the innings and shifting the game in the Kingsmen’s favor. After a patient, calculated start to his knock, Paul exploded in the later overs, finishing with an explosive 65 runs off just 36 deliveries, decorated by five towering sixes and five well-placed fours. Powell supported solidly at the other end, notching 49 runs from 39 balls before departing, and star all-rounder Andre Russell pushed the total past the 180-mark with an unbeaten 14 runs off seven deliveries, setting the Patriots a target of 182 runs to win. The Kingsmen closed their innings at 181 for six wickets after the full 20 overs.

    In their chase, the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots never managed to mount a meaningful challenge to the required run rate. They were soon on the back foot, slipping to 31 runs for three wickets by the fifth over, and later collapsed to 64 for five. Paul once again proved to be the difference-maker with the ball, claiming the key wickets of Kyle Mayers, Wanindu Hasaranga and Obed McCoy on his way to figures of three wickets for just 30 runs. While batsman Kevin Wickham put up a fight with a 34-ball 37, it was not enough to salvage the Patriots’ innings. They were eventually bowled out for 130 runs in the 18th overs, two full overs short of their full allocation, handing the Kingsmen a comfortable 51-run win.

    This victory marks the second consecutive win for the Kingsmen, who lost their opening three matches of the tournament. The result lifts them to four points from five outings heading into the next phase of the Caribbean Premier League. For his match-winning contributions with both bat and ball, Paul was honored with the Player of the Match award.