Reform win thriller in Southern Cricket

They were beaten by seven wickets by Outsiders Sports in their Champions Division quarter-final clash on Sunday last.

After Davindra Krishna took four wickets for 21 runs to bowl out Gasparillo for only 118 off their 30 overs, Outsiders breezed to 122 for three led by Annand Sookram with 41 and Mukesh Boodoosingh 33.

And Reform scored a thrill-packed one wicket victory over Nazarites, last year’s semi-finalist.

Needing after posting 198 for eight, Nazarites had Reform reeling at 126 for eight and appeared to have the game within their grasp.

But first a 60-run ninth wicket partnership between Jeetendra Deonarine and Goutam Mahabirsingh took the score to 186 for nine still needing another 13 runs in the final over.

After the first four deliveries produced just three runs, the fifth ball to Mahabirsingh by bowler Rocky McIntosh was blasted for six leaving four runs for victory off the last ball.

McIntosh decided on a bouncer and Mahabirsingh greeted him with a pull to the boundary for the Reform victory.

Now Reform will meet Outsiders in one semi-final at Green Arrow ground, Mt Stewart Village, Palmyra, while Commonwealth play the winners of the postponed match between Petrotrin and Red Devils/Everglads.

Final in the Championship Division is scheduled for June 4 at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre from 6 pm.

In Division One action, Sugar Road Youths continued their unbeaten run, with their latest victims being Amateurs who were comfortably beaten by 75 runs.

The winners now meet Metronomes at Harmony Hall Recreation ground on Sunday in one semi-final.

East Indians beat Brickfield United by 38 runs in another game while Valley Line whipped Malgretoute and they now meet in the other semi-final at Commonwealth ground also on Sunday.

Summarised scores: Champions Division - GASPARILLO UNITED 118 - Davis Braithwaite 34, Davindra Krishna 4/11, Mukesh Boodoosingh 2/21 vs OUTSIDERS 122/3 - Annand Sookram 41, Mukesh Boodoosingh 33.

OUTSIDERS won by seven wickets.

NAZARITES 198/8 - Terrance McIntosh 76, Rocky McIntosh 33, Fakira Bhanoo 3/33, Larry Bainey 2/15 vs REFORM 200/9 - Goutam Mnahabirshing 36, Steven Lalloo 34, Ihley Smith 2/23.

REFORM won by one wicket.

PREYSAL MATRIX 174/9 - Sharaz Mohammed 50, Matthew Alexander 40, Shane Beharry 2/22, Amit Rampersad 2/24 vs COMMONWEALTH 178/7 - Amit Rampersad 66, Matthew Alexander.

COMMONWEALTH won by three wickets.