The ex-nationals team out of St. Kitts, are the new champions of the annual Luther Kelly 35 and over tournament, organized by Dango Farrell and his amazing team.
This year’s tournament was held at the Edgar Gilbert Sporting Complex in Molineux, over two days: Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th October.
Four teams participated: The St. Kitts Travelers; St. Kitts ex-nationals; Nevis A team (defending champions) and the Nevis B team.
The final round of matches were played on Sunday 24th October, despite intermittent showers of rain, in front of a sizeable and enthusiastic crowd.
The St. Kitts Travelers secured the third-place trophy, by beating the Nevis B team and then it came down to the much anticipated grand finals between the St. Kitts ex-nationals and the defending champions, Nevis A team.
Both teams entered the finals, unbeaten.
Captain Merlin Liburd won the toss and elected to bat first and the Nevis team was off to the worse possible start, with Captain Liburd holing out to mid-on for a golden duck; Junior DUNCAN Mills bowled for 5 and Marvin Hamilton bowled for three.
However, Jason Campbell joined Curtis Morton Sr and they teamed up in an entertaining partnership, to bring the total to some semblance of respectability.
Wendell Wallace also swung his bat lustily at the end.
The Nevis A team eventually got to a competitive 92 for 9 in their 15 allotted overs.
Former St. Kitts pacer, Calvin Williams, was their main tormentor with his five-wicket haul.
The St. Kitts ex nationals were off to a blazing start, as Greg Stanley and Wilton Edwards, both batted aggressively to set their team on a firm footing.
They were both helped in a huge way by the fielding team, with five chances going begging, four of which occurred in one Jason Campbell over.
Eventually, the St. Kitts ex-national team, coasted to victory, despite giving the fielding team a sniff towards the end of the innings.
St. Kitts ex-nationals 97 for 4 in 13.3 overs.
Summarized scores: Nevis A team: 92 for 9 in 15 overs: Curtis Morton Sr 23; Jason Campbell 19; Wendell Wallace 13; Dulani Phillip 8*
Calvin Williams 5 for 21; Shane Jeffers 1 for 6; Kevin Hanley 1 for 8; Al Richards 1 for 16
ST. Kitts ex-nationals 97 for 4 in 13.3 overs: Wilton Edwards 46*; Greg Stanley 27
Merlin Liburd 2 for 21; Curtis Morton Sr 1 for 12; Anand Bhim 1 for 16
St. Kitts ex nationals won by 6 wickets