His heroics carried TeleBarbados Carlton to a thrilling six-wicket win over Fusionz Boutique Passage in the final of the inaugural Fortress/Inspire Sports/Desmond Haynes Under-16 Competition.

Chasing 170 to win, Carlton made 171 for four from 34.4 overs.

They were put on course by an exciting opening stand of 90 in 25.1 overs between Lee-Germon Gaskin, an impressive 74 (4x3, 6 x1, 96 balls), and Shaquille Richards (40). The partnership was broken when Richards ran himself out after he faced 77 balls and hit two fours and one six.

Man of the Match Gaskin and Sachin Clarke (21) posted 46 for the third-wicket in 6.5 overs despite some tight bowling by the spinners in the middle. With 21 runs required, Gaskin, seemingly having breathing problems, was dropped at long-off

in the 33rd over off female leg-spinner Shaquana Quintyne (two for 51).

He used a runner in Richards and unfortunately was run out two balls later, but in the end the thrill of victory would have erased the pain.

Earlier, after electing to bat, Passage United reached 169 for five from their 35 overs. Openers Leniko Boucher and Zubair Lokhat posted 33 in 5.5 overs before Lokhat fell for two just before rain halted play at 11: 30 a.m. The delay lasted for 50 minutes and on resumption, with 17 runs added, Boucher was caught behind off Matthew Jones for 19.

All-rounders Romar Miller (54) and Deswin Currency (42), batted well in a stand of 66 in 15.5 overs for the third wicket. Currency’s knock came from 65 balls with two fours and the first six of the match over square leg off Javed Leacock.

However, he was caught at midwicket off the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, off-spinner Nicholas Kirton with 19 scalps. Miller faced 74 deliveries including one four and a six in the final over from Small-Boyce (2-27) but was bowled next ball. 

Nationnews