A match-winning century by Jamaican John Campbell secured CGI Maple a berth in the Sagicor General Super Cup cricket final by defeating YMPC by a massive 122 runs in their semi-final yesterday.
YMPC found the task of scoring 270 in 49 overs a formidable one as they crashed to 147 all out in 41.1 overs.
The visitors had compiled 261 for four in 49 overs but due to a rain interruption in mid-innings one over was deducted and under the Duckworth-Lewis Method, the eventual score was adjusted.
Tall left-handed opener Campbell reacted to the loss of veteran opener Pedro Agard for 10 with the score on 35 in the seventh over with a mature 118.Â
With young stroke-maker Shane Parris, Campbell added 182 from 235 balls for the second wicket. Campbell’s 153-ball innings was spiced with 14 threes and six fours while Shane Parris once again impressed with 67 from 103 balls with one four and nine threes.
After the quick dismissals of Campbell and Parris, big left-hander Jamar Griffith (19) and all-rounder Khalid Springer (17) pushed Maple to the eventual winning total.
YMPC, who were playing their first semi-final since 2007, suffered a serious setback from the second ball of their reply.
Big-hitting Dwayne Smith swung the first ball to the long on boundary but edged the next delivery to the keeper off veteran seamer Corey Collymore.
With the early dismissal of the in-form Smith, the home team’s task of reaching the final proved too demanding as they buckled under the pressure and lost heavily.
Ryan Wiggins (52) gave the Bay Land men hope with an accomplished half-century. Steve Blackett (21) and Kemar Smith (26) tried but Maple’s bowling, led by Collymore,was too disciplined.
Jed Yearwood (3-22) bowled well at the top again and was assisted by seamer Khalid Springer (2-13) and left-arm spinner Jamar Griffith (2-41).
Maple will contest their sixth final and second in successive years.
