Leeward Islands smash Trinidad and Tobago; Jamaica beat Guyana

(CMC) – The Leeward Islands Women secured a commanding 36-run victory over Trinidad & Tobago Women in the 13th match of the Women’s T20 Blaze at Arnos Vale Playing Field on Friday.

The victory puts the Leewards in a strong position to make the tournament final, however, they will have to await the results of the remaining games later today to see if they will get the chance.

Batting first, the Leewards posted a competitive 133-5 in their 20 overs, thanks to solid contributions from Shawnisha Hector and Jahzara Claxton.

It was Hector and fellow opener Qiana Joseph who got things going with a solid 63-run opening stand. Hector led the charge with some belligerent hitting with four fours and three sixes in her 26-ball knock of 40.

She became the first wicket to fall, bowled by Amerita Ramtahal in the eighth over. After hitting three fours, Joseph went in the 11th over for 25, but captain Claxton came in and ensured her team got a good total with a brisk 32 not out from 28 balls with one four and two sixes.

T&T’s Shalini Samaroo 3-18 and Ramtahal 2-20 kept the scoring in check with disciplined bowling efforts.

In reply, T&T Women struggled to build momentum, having lost two wickets for just 15 runs in the power play. The Twin Island Republic never recovered, and crumbled to 97-8 in their allotted overs.

Lee-Ann Kirby with 21, and Britney Cooper, 14, offered brief resistance, but Amanda Edwards bowled with aggression and picked up 3-17 to lead the Leewards bowling attack, and the ultimate victory.

Meanwhile, Jamaica Women took a step closer towards playing in Sunday’s final following a commanding seven-wicket victory over previously unbeaten Guyana Women.

The win was Jamaica’s third in the competition, and follows previous defeats to the Leeward Islands and Trinidad & Tobago.

Asked to take the first strike, Guyana struggled to build momentum after losing a couple of early wickets in the power play, thanks to some enterprising bowling from the seam duo of Chinelle Henry and Neisha Ann Waisome.

First, Henry trapped opener Realeanna Grimmond in front for just one in the first over of the innings, then Waisome had Mandy Mangru caught for just four to level the Guyanese side at 16 for two in the fifth over.

Shabika Gajnabi then came in and joined Captain Shemaine Campbelle, and the pair took the score to 33 before Gajnabi went for 16 to spinner Nicole Campbell.

All this time, Campbelle tried to stem the flow of wickets by batting 33 balls, but that didn’t stop the Jamaicans from picking away at the other end to leave the Guyanese in a spot of bother.  Skipper Campbelle would fall in the final over for a well-played 32, which included four fours.

Off-spinner Vanessa Watts was the chief destroyer, claiming four wickets for 13 runs towards the end to help restrict Guyana to 83 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. Campbell supported well with 2 for 12.

In reply, Jamaica chased down the target with relative ease, reaching 84 for 3 in just 16.1 overs. Captain Rashada Williams got the chase going with a brisk 19 off 22 balls before she was run out. Abigail Bryce then anchored the innings with an unbeaten 30 from 34 balls with four fours. She was well supported by Henry, who was left unbeaten on 12, to take the Jamaicans over the line.