Unbeaten Harpy Eagles retain title after draw with Red Force

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – THE Guyana Harpy Eagles captured their second successive West Indies Championship title when they drew with second- placed Trinidad and Tobago Red Force here on Saturday’s final day of their seventh-round clash.

The result propelled the Harpy Eagles – who won four of their seven matches – to an unassailable 126.6 points, with the Red Force, currently in second with 111 points, awaiting the outcome of the match between the Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Barbados Pride to determine their position.

The Harpy Eagles were always favoured to retain their title heading into the final day, with the Red Force needing divine intervention to pull off an improbable win.
Resuming the day on 101 for two, still 122 runs in arrears, the Red Force were given a boost by Jason Mohammed’s 17th first class century and a fighting half century from captain Joshua Da Silva.

Mohammed scored 125 from 186 balls and Da Silva hit 77 off 79 deliveries, which helped them to get up to 370 for nine before declaring their innings.
Left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd grabbed 4-105 and veteran spinner Veerasammy Permaul took 3-138.

With the Harpy Eagles chasing just 147 for victory, the Red Force needed quick wickets to give themselves a chance.
However, it was not to be, as Raymond Perez scored an unbeaten 26 and the Harpy Eagles reached 33 without loss before both sides agreed to a draw.