– Erva Giddings bags 5-25
CASTRIES, St Lucia, CMC – St Lucia and West Indies captain Nadine George hit a stroke-filled unbeaten century to guide her team to a 24-run victory and hand defending champions Trinidad and Tobago their first loss of the West Indies Women’s Cham-pionship on Monday.
The left-handed George compiled 146 with 14 powerful fours and four towering sixes, one of which brought up her hundred, as St Lucia finished with a competitive 232 for five after being sent in at Mindoo Philip Park.
George found good support from Verena Felicien (32) and all rounder Pamela Alfred who hit 28. Jade Chadee was the most successful bowler with two for 43.
Trinidad and Tobago replied strongly but lost wickets at crucial intervals to be dismissed for 208 in 43.3 overs.
Captain Merissa Aguillera top scored with 39 and Leann Kirby hit 35 to be the leading scorers while Stacy Ann King added a useful 18 and Chadee, 18 not out.
Off-spinner Naralee Cooper picked up three for 49 while Felicien, also bowling off-breaks, had returns of two for 43.
At the Beausejour Cricket Ground, in-form opener Stephanie Taylor also struck a magnificent hundred to help Jamaica secure an 82-run win over Barbados in a crucial clash.
Taylor carried her bat for the entire 50 overs to be undefeated on 154 as Jamaica, sent in after losing the toss, amassed 241 for six.
Kayla Elliott was the most successful bowler for Barbados, claiming two for 48.
When Barbados batted they were undermined by Vanessa Watts (3-19) and Peta Hansen (3-34) and could only muster 159 in 44 overs.
Deandra Dottin top scored with 32 and all-rounder Pamela Lavine made 31. The only other innings of note came from Tiffany Thorpe with 21.
The victory ensured Jamaica remained unbeaten in the tournament.
At the Gros Islet Playing Field, Guyana handed Dominica their third straight heavy defeat in as many matches with a nine-wicket win.
Sent in, the Dominicans were dismissed for 53 off 20.5 overs with opening bowler Erva Giddings bagging five for 25.
Tremayne Grant then hit 20 as Guyana replied strongly with 54 for one in 10 overs.
At Monchy Playing Field, St Vincent and the Grenadines made light work of Grenada defeating them by 10 wickets.
SVG sent in the Grenadians who folded for 65 in 34.5 overs with only Marilyn Nelson offering any resistance with 20.
Phernel Charles, with two for 11 and Sherry Ann John, two for 12, made early inroads into the Grenadian line up.
Cordel Jack then struck a dominant undefeated 52 from 36 balls with seven fours and two sixes as the Vincentians raced to 69 without loss off 10.2 overs.