Greenidge, Gaskin ensure Barbados of fourth St. Kitts Festival title

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – Akil Greenidge hit the top score of 83, and his captain Lee Gaskin was unbeaten on 82 to put Barbados on the road to claiming the St. Kitts Under-13 Festival title for the fourth straight year, following a 42-run victory over Nevis on Saturday at Warner Park.

Greenidge stroked seven fours and two sixes, and Gaskin struck nine fours and one six, as the Barbadians, choosing to bat, reached 191 for two from their allocation of 25 overs in their top-of-the-table clash in the final round at Elquemedo Willett Park.

Kion Harding then collected three wickets for 25 runs to put the Nevisians on the skids, and they ended on 149 for five from their 25 overs.

“It was an all-round performance the entire tournament,” said Barbados coach Milton Small, the former national and West Indies fast bowler.

“I didn’t expect any challenge from the Nevisians, and I told the boys to get as many runs as possible to put them under pressure from early.”

This is the seventh time in the last eight years that Barbados have won the St. Kitts Under-13 Festival title.

The Barbadians arrived an hour late for the match, following their ferry ride from the Kittitian capital.

They lost Leniko Boucher early, but the Two Gs dug in, and they added 172 for the second wicket to give the Barbadians the edge.

Saeed Williams, the son of former Leeward Islands captain and West Indies opener Stuart Williams, led the way for Nevis with 52, and Colin Archibald supported with 34.

The home team had the Barbadians under some pressure, when they reached 115 for three, but the spin twins – Deswin Currency and Camarie Boyce – conceded 32 runs between them, and regained control of the match for Barbados.

At Conaree Sports Complex, Dominica crushed Antigua & Barbuda by seven wickets to finish in third place.

The Antiguans were dismissed for 77 in 21.4 overs, and Dominica reached their target with 18 balls to spare.

At Warner Park, hosts St. Kitts made sure they did not have the embarrassment of finishing at the bottom of the ladder, when they rolled over Anguilla by five wickets.

Dishon Fung-a-fat bagged three for four, as Anguilla were dismissed for 86 in 24.5 overs, and the Kittitians galloped to victory with 38 balls remaining.