Royal Knights win 2025 Bvica Peter Haycraft
An exciting Ten10 final at Greenland Grounds on Sunday saw Royal Knights complete a stunning chase to beat the Vikings and lift the Peter Haycraft T10 Cup — their first title in any format since 2019, according to VINO. Vikings posted 163 for 3 thanks to Julian Bannet's 93 off 30, but Keion De Jesus's unbeaten 88 off 30, supported by Shelan Isidore's late hit of 31 not out, carried Royal Knights home in a dramatic finish (VINO).
An afternoon of fast-paced cricket that had been billed as a classic lived up to expectations on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at Greenland Grounds when Royal Knights overcame the Vikings to win the BVICA Peter Haycraft T10 Cup. Before the game, preview coverage from Island Sun captured the anticipation in the community.
Royal Knights arrived in the final unbeaten and on a 6-0 run; Yohann Lazema told Island Sun that after last year’s final loss to RTW Falcons the team expected nothing less than lifting the title, saying: 'When you put in the work as a team, as a unit, you expect to get the results and nothing less than lifting the title.' The Vikings, 5-1 going into the decider, were boosted by their earlier BVICA success, with captain Deco Khemraj telling Island Sun that reaching another final was an 'amazing feeling' after hard work and dedication.
The match itself produced big hitting and a dramatic run chase, according to a detailed match report by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO). The Vikings elected to bat and put up a daunting 163 for 3 in the short Ten10 format. Julian Bannet starred, smashing a rapid 93 from just 30 balls before Kazim Haywood finally dismissed him.
Timothy Sookram added a useful 23 before falling to Reno Mettleholzer, and skipper Deco Khemraj contributed a swashbuckling 32 from 11 balls before departing via a run-out. Chasing 164 to win, Royal Knights found their saviour in Keion De Jesus. De Jesus produced a match-winning masterclass, scoring an unbeaten 88 off 30 deliveries and belting nine sixes as he anchored the chase, VINO reported.
Although Royal Knights lost four wickets in the process, De Jesus got strong late support from Shelan Isidore, who finished unbeaten on 31 from nine balls to see off the Vikings' challenge. De Jesus was named Man of the Match for his match-turning innings. The victory marked Royal Knights' first title in any format since 2019, a milestone highlighted by VINO and one the club had been seeking for several years.
The pre-match words of Island Sun's quoted officials rang true: the Knights converted their unbeaten form into silverware, denying the Vikings a second trophy for the season. In the day's earlier third-place playoff, Grenada secured third with a 9-wicket win over defending champions RTW Falcons.
Delrol Redhead ended unbeaten on 54 as Grenada chased down 107 for 1 in reply to the Falcons' 106 for 8, VINO reported. BVICA president Richard Francis had warned fans the finals would be explosive affairs, noting that Royal Knights were chasing their first title in six to seven years.
The result offered a fitting celebration of BVI cricket — showcasing emerging talent and experienced campaigners under pressure, and giving residents another memorable afternoon of community sport at Greenland Grounds.
Primary source: Island Sun