PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) - St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) copped their first ever West Indies women’s cricket title when they defeated former champions St Lucia by six wickets in the league championship yesterday afternoon.
Propelled by an unbeaten half-century from West Indies player Juliana Nero, SVG climbed to an impregnable 16 points with the victory in their last game, dashing the hopes of unbeaten defending champions Trinidad and Tobago, who -- with a game in hand -- were poised to capitalise on any slip by the Vincentians.
Trinidad and Tobago defeated Barbados, also by six wickets in their game to move to 11 points, and Grenada handed Jamaica a fourth consecutive defeat with a two-wicket triumph.
The league tournament ends today with three games and the knockout tournament starts on Friday.
Batting first at Barataria, St Lucia rallied from an unsteady 86 for six to score 148 all out off 48.1 overs.
Maria David (26) and Doris Francis (21) were the top-scorers for the St Lucians, while medium pacer Melissa Billingy led SVG’s bowling with three for 17 off 9.1 overs, supported by Rochell John (2-19) and Cordell Jack (2-20).
SVG claimed victory when they reached 149 for four off 48 overs in reply, with Nero hitting 63 not out, including seven boundaries.
Jack (26) was the next highest scorer for the new champions, while captain Verena Felicien (1-32) and David (1-39) led St Lucia’s bowling.
At Pierre Road, Barbados posted 100 all off 47.3 overs against the home side, with captain Pamela Levine stroking a top score of 42.
Slow medium bowler Envis Williams (3-9) was the best bowler for Trinidad and Tobago, who responded with 101 for four overs for an easy win with more than 20 overs to spare.
Brenda Solozano top-scored for T&T with 28 not out.
Grenada notched their second win when they defeated Jamaica by at Munroe Road.
Batting first, the Jamaicans struggled to 113 for nine and Grenada replied with 115 for eight.
Grenada climbed to third in the standings with seven points.
T&T will play Jamaica, St Lucia meet Barbados, and Grenada tackle Guyana in the last matches today.