Empire win after UWI penalized

Massive controversy unfolded after runaway LIME Elite Division leaders Sagicor UWI lost to ICBL Empire yesterday when match officials deemed the visitors guilty of a tardy over rate.
Set 162 for victory in 39 overs, Empire were 160 for eight in 33.2 overs when umpires Ryan Willoughby and Jonathan Blades ruled the light was too unsatisfactory to continue at 6:22 p.m.
The match, therefore, originally ended in a draw but following discussions that lasted close to 45 minutes and involved representatives from both teams, match referee Carleon Brome informed NATIONSPORT around 7:30 p.m. the match had been awarded to Empire.
Brome explained that Empire were awarded four penalty runs since UWI had been penalized for being one over behind the required over-rate, taking into account stoppages in play.
NATIONSPORT calculations revealed that it took UWI two hours and 39 minutes to bowl their 33.2 overs and manager Stephen Leslie said afterwards they intended to protest the outcome of the sixth round match.
Empire, put on course by Alcindo Holder’s impressive 77 off 95 balls and captain Jamal Smith’s measured 50 off 80 balls, stuttered after reaching 149 for three.
It always appeared the light would be a crucial factor and in their effort to complete victory before it became too dark, Empire lost five wickets fell for 11, including the important scalp of Holder.
Empire’s run-chase was exciting throughout, the hosts recovering after losing two wickets with only one run on the board before Holder and Smith added 111 for the third wicket.
Empire earned 17 points from the match, moving to 80 while UWI got two, advancing to 94. As a result, UWI’s 29-point advantage at the start of the series was reduced to 14.