by ELVIS HOWARD
?Title-holders Nicholls Baking Combermere and Queen’s College will contest next week’s final of the Barbados Cricket Association’s (BCA) LIME Under-15 Competition.
?The final will be staged at Kensington Oval for first time. It will run over three days starting on Monday.
In the semi-finals yesterday, Queen’s College defeated Milo Lodge by six wickets and Combermere gained first innings lead in a dull draw against Alleyne.
At Pine Basin, starting the final day with a useful lead of 74, Combermere reached 226 for six in their second innings when the match was called off with half an hour left. National Under-15 opener Shian Brathwaite stroked 106 before retiring hurt.
At Friendship, set 120 for victory, Queen’s College got home in the final over of the day.
Brathwaite and David Scott posted a patient first-wicket stand of 40 before Scott was lbw swinging across the line to off-spinner Kerry Justin for 11. Indal Persaud lashed a full toss from Justin to short mid-wicket and Alex Sealy hauled a stupendous catch running back.
Brathwaite started to open his shoulders creaming some fours through the on-side from an all-spin attack. He was joined by his Barbados Under-15 teammate Shakkae Marshall and they took the score to 136 for two at tea.
Brathwaite brought up his century with a boundary off pacer Darrin Rudder-Thompson. Shortly afterwards, he was force to leave the field suffering from cramp in his hand. He counted nine fours and three sixes. Marshall made 29.
Justin bowled well and collected a maiden career-best five for 53 from 16 overs.
At Friendship, after Lodge conceded a narrow first innings lead of five runs on Wednesday, they were then in a must-win situation.
They made 124 for nine declared, with Treasure Griffith cracking 54, his second half-century of the game. It contained five fours and two sixes. He and Joshua Walcott put on 64 for the fourth-wicket.
With the entire post tea session to get the target, Queen’s College got home in the nick of time. Ajani Waterman made 36 and Jamal Burke contributed a match-winning unbeaten 30.
Summarised scores
At Friendship: Milo Lodge 154-8 in 32 overs and 124-9 dec’d (Treasure Griffith 54, Joshua Walcott 25, Marco St Hill 16; Nico Reifer 2-9, Deshawn Mayers 2-17). Queen’s College 159-4 in 32 overs and 120-4 (Ajani Waterman 36, Jamal Burke 30 n.o., Nico Reifer 19, Mekhail Marshall 14; Kadeem Alleyne 2-42). Queen’s College won by six wickets.
?At Pine Basin: Nicholls Baking Combermere 106 in 34.3 overs and 226-6 (Shian Brathwaite 106 retired hurt; Shakkae Marshall 29, David Scott 11; Kerry Justin 5-53). Alleyne 38 in 32.1 overs (Elijah Hoyte 11; Indal Persaud 3-9, Lamar Springer 2-8). Match drawn.
