Seven Seas Police arrested BRC BCL by 17 runs to take the 2011 Sagicor General Shield cricket title in yesterday’s final at the Desmond Haynes Oval.
Police, demoted from the prestigious Division One last year, flexed their muscles, rattling up 213 for seven in 30 after being sent in to bat.
Watched by Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite and Commissioner of Police Darwin Dottin, the officers then restricted another relegated side BCL, who made a gallant run-chase, to 196 for nine in their 30 overs.
“I feel very good. This victory couldn’t have come at a better time after Police got demoted from the First Division.
“This sends a statement that we are ready and willing to get back up there and even dominate at that level,” Police’s captain Roger Williams said amid post-match celebrations.
The match was reduced to 30 overs per innings following a 15-minute late start and two stoppages for rain during the Police innings and the “cops” made a brisk start before slipping to 54 for three in 8.3 overs.
Left-arm seamer Justin Springer removed Dwayne Yearwood and Antonio Mayers for 11 and ten respectively after makeshift opener Kenrick Marshall was bowled by pacer Romario Marshall without scoring.
But Williams, who opened the innings, dropped anchor, with a solid 54 off 55 balls with one four and a six, which earned him the Man-Of-The-Match award.
Williams, who was sixth out, and the attacking Brian Corbin, who smashed three fours and two sixes in a breezy 44 off 40 balls, shared a 67-run fourth-wicket stand in 10.1 overs.
There were also useful contributions from Collis King (15 off 19 balls with one four); Larry Babb (19 with two sixes off 11 balls); Callitos Lopez (23 not out, two fours a six off 16 balls) and Derwin Thompson (14 not out).
In response, BCL lost the experienced Dave Clarke for four to the pacy Lopez but a second-wicket partnership of 77 runs in 12.5 overs between captain Christopher Yearwood, who topscored with 55 off 58 balls (7×4, 1×6) and veteran Owen Birch, kept them on course.
They reached 94 for one in 15 overs at the half-way mark before losing their way as Birch (38 off 40 balls, 5×4) was bowled by medium pacer Mayers as he played across a full-length delivery.
Mayers also bowled left-hander Corey Scantlebury with a slower delivery for one before Thompson, trundling some flat off breaks, made a decisive strike.
Yearwood, who was dropped by Mayers on 21, reached his 50 with a six over mid-wicket off Thompson but the bowler struck back, next ball, trapping the batsman leg before wicket at 118 for four in the 20th over.
Kamal Turney (30 off 23 balls, 2×4, 1×6) and Jamal Springer (27 off 31 balls, 1×6) then added 45 runs in 7.4 overs but waited a bit too late to go into overdrive.
Turney hit Mayers for two consecutive fours in the 27th over which yielded 14 runs to bring the equation down to 51 from the last three overs but was bowled off the first ball of the next over from off-spinner Jamal Smith.
Jamal Springer swung Smith for a six over mid-wicket but with 38 runs required from two overs, Lopez returned and settled the outcome, bowling both Springers, Jamal and Justin, with consecutive balls.
Coach/player Andrew Emtage was run out, attempting a second run and getting no response from his partner Jabari Yarde, who was bowled in the final over from Kenrick Marshall when 29 runs were required.
Ishmael Lucas hit a six over forward square leg but it was a little too late as Police collected the $8 000 first prize cheque.
