Guyana women suffer 1st loss of CWI T20 Blaze title defence

Defending champions Guyana Women suffered their first loss of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) T20 Blaze on Thursday evening, going down by seven runs to the Leeward Islands at the Arnos Vale Playing Field in Kingstown.
After winning the toss, Guyana elected to field and made an immediate breakthrough when Plaffiana Millington trapped Qiana Joseph lbw for a duck. However, the Leeward Islands recovered through a positive partnership between wicketkeeper-batter Reniece Boyce and Captain Amanda Edwards.
Boyce played the anchor role with an aggressive yet composed innings, top-scoring with a well-earned 51 from 54 deliveries, striking seven fours. Edwards provided excellent support, contributing 31 from 39 balls, an innings highlighted by two fours and two sixes. Despite their efforts, the Leeward Islands struggled to accelerate in the latter stages and finished on 106 for 9 from their 20 overs.
Guyana’s bowlers were led superbly by Ashmini Munisar, who produced a brilliant spell to claim 4 for 15, while Millington offered strong support with figures of 3 for 11.
In reply, Guyana began steadily, with Sheneta Grimmond scoring 23 from 40 balls to help lay a foundation. At 51 for 2 in 9.5 overs, following Grimmond’s dismissal lbw to Dominique Maynard, the defending champions appeared well-placed.
However, mounting scoreboard pressure triggered a dramatic batting collapse. Guyana lost wickets at regular intervals and failed to build meaningful partnerships. Mandy Mangru fought valiantly with 24 from 22 balls, but her efforts were not enough to steer Guyana home. The innings eventually folded for 99 in exactly 20 overs, handing the Leeward Islands a memorable victory.
The Leeward Islands’ bowling attack was disciplined and effective, with Dominique Maynard finishing with figures of 2 for 13, while Captain Amanda Edwards capped off an impressive all-round performance by taking 3 for 18.
Guyana will have little time to dwell on the defeat, as they are scheduled to return to action against Jamaica Women on January 17, with the match set to begin at 19:00h. The defending champions will be eager to bounce back and keep their title defence on track in what promises to be another competitive encounter in the CWI T20 Blaze.

In the other matches of the day, Trinidad and Tobago Women secured a 16-run victory over the Windward Islands Women in a low-scoring encounter.
After winning the toss, the Windward Islands elected to field first and made early inroads, but veteran all-rounder Anisa Mohammed held the Trinidad and Tobago innings together with an unbeaten 29. She received valuable support from lower-order batter Lee-Ann Kirby, who struck 28, helping Trinidad and Tobago post a modest total of 95 for 7 from their 20 overs.
In reply, the Windward Islands struggled against disciplined off-spin bowling. Samara Ramnath and Anisa Mohammed proved decisive, each claiming three wickets, as the Windward Islands were bowled out for 79 in 19.3 overs, sealing a comfortable win for Trinidad and Tobago.
Meanwhile, Barbados Women emerged victorious in their clash against Jamaica Women, winning by six wickets with 18 balls to spare.
Barbados won the toss and chose to field, but Jamaica produced a solid batting performance led by captain Rashada Williams, who scored 31, and Abigail Bryce, who added 33. The pair shared an impressive 66-run second-wicket partnership, laying a strong foundation as Jamaica finished on 110 for 6 from their allotted 20 overs.
Barbados responded positively, sparked by a blistering cameo from Eboni Brathwaite, who smashed 36 from just 18 balls to give her side a flying start. Captain Aaliyah Alleyne then guided the chase with a composed 19, as Barbados reached 111 for 4 in 17 overs to clinch the victory.