By Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway
RTW Falcons Joel Williams and Grenada’s Andel Walcott, won Man of the Match
Vikings handed Grenada—after a 2-0 start— their third straight loss in the BVI Cricket Association T20 League, during an entertaining four wickets victory on Sunday in Greenland, after overcoming a 50 for 2 start.
After winning the toss, Captain and opener Andel Walcott became the fourth player striking a century this season, when he exploded for a league best 125 runs not out, including 12 sixes off 61 balls, giving Grenada the foundation needed for their 237 for 4. Fellow opener Ragel Noel, had a supporting 46 as Walcott brought his run total to 223 on the season, behind scoring leader and teammate Derrol Redhead, who added a supporting 24 for his 238 runs.
Grenada’s bowling however, failed them for a third straight game. Captain Deco Khemraj led the way as the Vikings used his 60-run partnership with Dave Pyroo and a 72-run partnership with Johnny Bailey, after being 50 for 2, to drive past Grenada’s 237 with 240 for 6.
Khemraj—in the middle of four crucial partnerships—had a defiant 78 not out, bringing his season total to 163 runs. Bailey, who grabbed 2 for 36, had a useful 45 in helping the Vikings improve to 2-2, as Grenada fell to 3-2 on the season after a 2-0 start. Alando Givans was Grenada’s top bowler with 4 for 37.
“It was a wonderful victory and I must congratulate my team for pulling off a 238-run victory against Grenada,” Khemraj said. “It’s a good feeling, a very good hype to beat a team like Grenada. It motivates us as a team and we look forward to the rest of the competition.”
Walcott said his team’s bowling wasn’t good at all. “We also dropped five catches and that helped us slip away from the game,” he said, noting they didn’t expect the Vikings’ comeback. “I thought 238 was a reasonable score and we could defend it, but we didn’t come close to defending it at all.”
In the first game, chasing the RTW Falcons 238 all out, Vincy lost six wickets for less than 100 runs, ending the game at 160 for 9 as they lost by 78 runs. The RTW Falcons became the first team with eight batsmen scoring in double figures.
“It was a collective effort,” RTW Falcons Captain Orlando “Facebook” Ollivierre said of the victory. “It put us right where we need to be (in the standings) so I would say it was a good victory.”
Vincy contributed to their own demise with 51 extras including 32 wides. Imran Smith led the RTW Falcons, who improved to 3-2, with 39. Jermaine May contributed 30 and Joel Williams, who was Man of the Match after snatching 5 for 24, adding 26. Williams leads the league with 11 wickets. Roy Caines had a 2 for 42 day bringing his wickets haul to nine on the season, second behind Williams.
Vincy bowlers Shem Ellis grabbed 3 for 36, Kenrick Lemmslie, 2 for 19 and Earl Prescott, 2 for 40 as they are now 1-3.
