In the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) Premiere Insurance Second Division 40 competition at the Fairfield Ground, Golden Grove B took on Young Rivals B in a reduced 25-over contest.
Winning the toss, Golden Grove B opted to bowl first, but the home side got off to a flying start. The Young Rivals’ openers added 71 runs in quick time, thrilling the fans with excellent stroke play and towering sixes.
Leg-spinner Akeem Persaud turned the momentum with a crucial double strike – first dismissing Tyrell Peters for a blistering 47 off 22 balls (including seven sixes), and then bowling Raj Mangal for a duck. Suddenly, Young Rivals were 71 for 2.
The collapse continued when off-spinner Steven Mangal entered the attack. He ripped through the middle order, claiming four wickets among the next five to fall, reducing the hosts to 106 for 7.
However, Matthew Shivtahal and Vijay Kalpu produced a match-defining partnership. Their brilliant 108-run stand revived the innings, with Shivtahal scoring 50 from 39 balls and Kalpu 52 from 38 balls. Thanks to their efforts, Young Rivals posted a strong 214 for 8 in 25 overs.
For Golden Grove B, Steven Mangal was exceptional with figures of 4 for 20 from five overs, while Persaud supported well with 2 for 38.
In reply, Golden Grove’s top order struggled, stumbling to 15 for 3 inside seven overs. Steven Mangal (36 from 48 balls, two fours) and Cordel Mars attempted to rebuild with a 70-run stand, but the required rate continued to climb.
Mars, however, played a lone hand, remaining unbeaten on a powerful 77 from 55 balls (five fours, five sixes). Gerald Montfort supported him with 12 not out as Golden Grove closed on 151 for 5, falling 63 runs short.
Young Rivals B emerged deserved victors, led by disciplined bowling and a commanding lower-order recovery that sealed their dominance on the day.
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