The return fans to the Port Rhoades Sports Complex in Discovery Bay, St Ann provided the perfect backdrop for an entertaining final between St Mary’s Boscobel and White Horse of St Thomas.
As thousands streamed through the entrance at Discover Bauxite, it was White Horse who called right at the toss and decided to bat in what were almost perfect overhead conditions.
Mark campbell set the tone as early as ball one when he beat backward point with vicious cut shot. Campbell would score two more boundaries in his short stay of 12 balls at the crease. The breakthrough came courtesy of Alwyn Williams as campbell was bowled off the inside edge for 14. Shortly after, Yahvi Gould who was finding it difficult to find runs could not negotiate a short delivery from Andel Gordon and only managed to offer an easy catch to captain Orlando Lyons at slip with White Horse 27 for 2 at the end of the six over powerplay.
Jahair campbell and Fitzgerald Anderson shared in a brief partnership of 13 before a horrible mix-up left campbell short of his ground at the non-striker’s end for 18 after being turned back midway the pitch. At that stage the confines of the port Rhoades sports complex could not contain the jubilation of the Boscobel supporters.
But that jubilation was muted for 5.2 overs when Jowayne Robinson joined Anderson at the crease. Robinson announced himself early with a forceful drive back past Kevin Daley that slammed into the media centre. The pair took 18 runs from the 9th over as the tide was starting to change. However, it was not until left-arm spinner Tyrone Daley was introduced into the attack that the White Horse supporters had their time to celebrate. The first over after the water break had supporters taking cover as Robinson took Daley for two sixes. He had another two sixes to start the second over from Daley which eventually cost 14 runs. Daley however had some joy as Anderson who made 15 picked out williams on the long-off boundary, breaking a 62 run 4th wicket partnership.
Robinson would pass 50 having carved two from sixes from the bowling of Daley. Daley though would have the last laugh when williams went for one too many and was caught on the mid-wicket boundary for 56 from 29 balls with his innings including 2 fours and 6 sixes.
That led to a lower-order collapse by White Horse as they lost another 4 wickets for just 20 runs. Their innings came to a close at 139 for 9 as Kevin Daley returned to pick-up 3 for 21 while Alwyn Williams had 2 for 7 and Tyrone Daley 2 for 39.
Needing score at a rate of 7 runs an over the pair of Alwyn Williams and Maurice Harrow were watchful at the start with only two runs coming off the first over. But the shackles came off in the second over when captain Fabian Bennett was taken for 14 runs from his first three deliveries, with williams peppering the mid-wicket boundary. From there williams let loose as he took the attack to the White Horse boundary. The left-hander showed his power while hitting down the ground and also demonstrated his touch and precision in plying through the off-side.
Boscobel raced to 47 in just four over before White Horse saw any success. Robinson got the breakthrough when he bowled harrow for 9, giving the St Thomas travelers something to celebrate. Tyrone Daley then joined williams and maybe for the first time in his career decided to play the supporting role as he looked to rotate the strike. Williams though was not in the mood to look singles as he cleared the boundary with ease while bringing up his half century.
Williams second 50 came up in no time as he became only the second batsman to score a century in the final of the competition as his landmark was met with loud applause and a fist pump from a supporter.
The return of Robinson would produce the wicket of williams, caught for an even 100 but by then Boscobel were 8 runs away from victory. 5 balls later Tyrone Daley who hit only one boundary in his 17 runs was bowled by Keno Wallace but that was too later as it only took one delivery for Oshaun Ennis to get the winning run with a nudge to mid-wicket.
Victory for Boscobel at 140 for 3 as they also pocketed 1.5 million dollars.
Williams who was named player of the final was also presented with 100 thousand dollars by sponsors Wray and Nephew.
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