Defending Falcons Reach Bvica T10 Semis
Defending champions RTW Falcons and unbeaten Royal Knights advanced to the BVICA Peter Haycraft Ten10 Cup semifinals following convincing wins in Greenland. Cavaliers failed to reach the playoffs for the first time, while big hitting from Austin McDowall and Kieon DeJesus highlighted the quarterfinal fixtures.
The BVICA Peter Haycraft Ten10 Cup moves into a compelling semifinal weekend in Greenland after defending champions RTW Falcons and unbeaten Royal Knights secured comfortable quarterfinal wins on Sunday. RTW Falcons chased down Grenada’s 120 in convincing fashion, finishing 121 for 2 in 9.0 overs.
Captain Orlando “Facebook” Olliverre was pleased with the response after a recent loss: "Today’s game is a good feeling because we lost last week and fell to 1-2 and now we came back with a victory and into the semifinals. We’re now in the semifinal and looking for a place in the final and seeking to win it again this year, but it will take a good team effort—bowling, fielding and batting out the overs—and being positive." Grenada had earlier posted 120 for 5 after a rapid 60-run stand between captain Andel Walcott and powerful striker Derrol Readhead.
Readhead punished the small Greenland field with six fours and five sixes in a lightning 62 off 24 balls, bringing his tournament total to 170. However, Grenada collapsed from a promising platform to 5 for 85 before a late 35-run partnership between Akim Mousey Hendrickson and Alvin Africa helped them reach 120 in the 10th over.
RTW bowlers Kenron Baptiste (2 for 21) — whose haul moved him to a league-leading six wickets — and Imran Smith (2 for 25) had earlier applied pressure. In reply, Austin McDowall smashed seven sixes in a 49 not out off 12 balls, finishing alongside Dameron Prince (32 not out) to seal the win.
McDowall’s innings pushed his season tally to 158. Grenada captain Walcott admitted frustration: "We had a good start in the batting and the bowling. But we didn’t carry on and that set us back in this game… The bowlers weren’t concentrating properly and that made us give up the runs.
Hopefully (on Sunday) we’ll bowl well… and put up a good target." In the other quarterfinal duel between unbeaten sides, Royal Knights overpowered Vikings. Kieon DeJesus hit a quickfire 54 with seven fours as Royal Knights raced to 120 for 1 in 5.4 overs in reply to Vikings’ 115 for 6.
Viking bowlers Vincent Farley (3 for 13) and Ameri Hinds (2 for 29) impressed, but were unable to contain the Knights’ scoring. Viking wicketkeeper Julian Banett — who had earlier tallied big scores in the league — was limited to 19 and finished the competition with 274 runs. The results also mark a notable development for local cricket: Cavaliers, a regular playoff side, finished the league 0-4 and will miss the BVICA playoffs for the first time.
For BVI residents, the semifinals promise high-octane cricket at Greenland and a chance to see local stars and visiting talents contest for a place in the final.
Primary source: Island Sun