Dorian Auguiste (59) was instrumental in a 114 run partnership for the third wicket to restore first parity and then give the Cavaliers the slight advantage over Vincy CC. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Mohamed Hasan plays a ball to the onside during his top score of 80 for Cavaliers. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Captain Brent Defreitas top scored with an unbeaten 41 in a losing effort for Vincy CC. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Earl Prescott finished with figures of 3 for 14 bowling for Vincy CC against Cavaliers. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

EAST END, Tortola, VI - Vincy CC lost their final match of the regulation season to the Cavaliers but clung on to life in the LIME Superfast T20 Premier Division by the skin of their teeth on Sunday April 10, 2016.

Going into the match both teams knew that only a win would really guarantee survival from the dreaded drop into Division One and it was the Vincy who grabbed the early initiative when having elected to bat first the Cavaliers found themselves 2 down for just 9 runs.

However, Dorian Auguiste (59) and Mohamed Hasan (80) combined in a 114 run partnership for the third wicket to restore first parity and then give the Cavaliers the slight advantage.

Only one other batsman, Aaron Baker, reached double figures in the total of 194 all out, whilst Earl Prescott finished with 3 for 14 and Kenrick Leslie 4 for 33 for Vincy.

In reply, the Vincy made a spirited attempt to chase down the target but lost wickets at a steady rate as a succession of batsman got starts, but failed to capitalise.

Captain Brent Defreitas top scored with an unbeaten 41, Desron Maloney hit 36 and Cameron Williams 22, but due to some tight bowling the Vincy were restricted to 174-8.

Jagnarine Persaud picked up 2 for 34 and Vin Rambarose 2 for 39.

Captains’ reaction

“We had a bad start, but turned it around. The loss of wickets at the end cost us 50 runs, but we came with our A game with the ball and managed to come out with the win,” commented Vishal Bharat.

“Rambarose bowled well in his first game and took crucial wickets, but we will have to play a lot better in the play offs,” Bharat added.

Defreitas said the team’s aim was to restrict the Cavaliers to under 200. “We did the first part well, but our batting let us down. Luckily though we knew we had to at least get over 160 if we didn’t win and we did that, so we can now look forward to the play offs.”

With both the Vincy and the Vikings on 3 points it all came down to net run rate to determine who would be relegated to Division One next season and by reaching 174 the Vincy did just enough to maintain a higher NRR than the Vikings, who now go down.

The final group standings see Grenada finish top with the Royal Knights in second, the cavaliers third and Vincy fourth.

The play offs begin next Sunday, April 17, 2016 with the top two playing at 2pm for a place in the final. The loser of that game will then wait for the winner of the 3^rd/4^th placed teams on Sunday April 24, 2016 in what will become a semi final match.