Royal Knights Claim Peter Haycraft Cup
Royal Knights defeated the Vikings to win the BVICA Peter Haycraft T10 Cup at Greenland, chasing 164 to record a six-wicket victory. Opener Keon DeJesus starred, batting through the innings to secure the Knights' first BVICA title since 2019.
Royal Knights defeated the Vikings to lift the BVI Cricket Association (BVICA) Peter Haycraft Ten10 Cup on Sunday at Greenland, chasing down 164 to win by six wickets. Opener Keon DeJesus anchored the run chase and finished unbeaten as the Knights claimed their first BVICA title since 2019.
The Vikings posted 163 all out after a power-packed opening stand of 116 between Julian Banett and Timothy Sookran. Banett top-scored with a brutal 93, belting 10 sixes and seven fours before he was finally caught. The Vikings added just 47 runs after Banett’s dismissal, with captain Deco Khemraj run out for 32 and Sookran out for 23.
Royal Knights got off to a positive start with a 37-run opening partnership between Kazim Haywood and DeJesus before Haywood fell for 16. DeJesus then combined with Yohann Lazema for a second-wicket stand of 55; Lazema was later bowled for nine by Khemraj. Shelan Isidore finished 31 not out alongside DeJesus, and a boundary from DeJesus sealed the chase at 165 for 4.
DeJesus, visibly emotional after the win, said the title meant a great deal to the team after a six-year drought. Wicketkeeper-captain Richard Francis highlighted the game plan: restrict the big hitters and keep scoring under control. "The key was trying to restrict them to a formidable total but unfortunately Banett got off," Francis said, noting the Knights had contained the Vikings earlier in the tournament but had to adjust to the big score on the day.
Vikings captain Deco Khemraj conceded the better team won and paid tribute to DeJesus’s “master blaster” performance. Khemraj added that better bowling lines and hitting the right areas might have changed the outcome. The final also wrapped up the Knights’ strong tournament run: Royal Knights finished with a 7-0 record while the Vikings ended 5-2.
The result gives the Knights their first BVICA title since 2019 and will be welcomed by local fans as a sign of renewed competition in BVI club cricket. In the third-place match, Grenada defeated defending champions RTW Falcons by nine wickets in a reduced eight-over game. Derol Redhead top-scored with 54 not out and Ragel Noel added 32 not out as Grenada chased 106 for 4 in just 6.3 overs.
Valiston Guishard picked up 3 for 32 for Grenada, while RTW Falcons captain Orlando Olliverre said his side were simply outplayed on the day. Reporting for Island Sun Sports, Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway provided coverage of the tournament held at Greenland.
Primary source: Island Sun