- Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
Lucas' Christopher Gayle plays through the on-side shot during his unbeaten innings of 152 against Kingston at Nelson Oval yesterday. The wicketkeeper is Matthew Sinclair.
Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
THE CAPITAL & Credit sponsored Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) limited-overs finalists were decided following victories by Melbourne and Lucas against Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and Kingston respectively in yesterday's semi-finals.
In a exciting finish at Up Park Camp, Melbourne carved out a five-run win over hosts JDF while Lucas thrashed Kingston in a one-sided contest at Nelson Oval.
West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle's unbeaten 152 and 72 from his young brother, Wayne Gayle, set up Lucas' win, while Marlon Samuels and Donovan Pagon paved the way for Melbourne with half centuries.
Chris Gayle faced 173 balls and hit 12 fours and seven sixes while Wayne Gayle belted seven fours and one six in their team's (Lucas) total of 267 for seven off their allotted 50 overs.
Kingston were dismissed for 131 in 33.2 overs with only Sheldon Allman, 29, Kerry Scott, 28, Raymond Ferguson, 22, and Nehemiah Perry, 20, scoring well against Chris Gayle 3-20 and Christopher Senior 3-23.
At Up Park Camp: Melbourne 265 for nine off 50 overs; JDF 260 for nine from 50 overs.
Electing to bat after winning the toss, Melbourne did not get off to the start they anticipated. They lost Aubrey Wollaston, caught by Kamal Dennis off pacer Kacey Saunds for three with the score on 16 for one.
However, Pagon joined Ray Stewart and the two justified their captain's decision to bat first by posting 78 runs for the second wicket. Stewart, in good touch and close to a half century, went when Howard Copeland combined with fielder Wayne Cuff to remove the batsman for 41, at 94 for two.
Marlon Samuels then joined in-form Pagon and they featured in a 108-run third wicket stand, a partnership which paved the way for Melbourne's large total.
Pagon, who played for Jamaica this season, made a fighting 73 while West Indies middle-order batsman Samuels struck 72. Pagon's innings lasted for 147 minutes and featured six fours and a six from 102 deliveries while Marlon Samuels belted fours sixes and four fours from just 50 balls.
Captain Robert Samuels could only manage 28 with Carlton Baugh Jr. getting 11 against left-arm spinner Damion Grey who claimed 3-46 off nine overs.
In reply, JDF got off to a good start with Warren Medwinter, 51, and Mel Wint, 14, adding 70 for the first wicket. However, when they, along with Grey, departed and left the team at 86 for three, JDF were in trouble. Wayne Cuff and Anthony Folkes added 77 runs for the fourth wicket but they were always struggling.
Folkes was adjudged caught behind off Roman Hutchinson for 25 and when Cuff hit the same bowler to Damion Jacobs at long-off for 56, the game swung in Melbourne's favour.
At 178 for five, things still could have gone either way. Despite a slow start from Marlon Kennedy, 33, and Copeland, 19. However, with 16 runs to win from two overs, three wickets in hand, and with experienced Marlon Samuels bowling the penultimate over, many would not bet against Melbourne.
It was now down to the final over, Dennis on strike, Stewart the bowler, and after getting a single off the second ball, Stewart trapped Paul Brown leg before with the third delivery. No. 11 Saunds scored a single off the fifth ball but they were too far in arrears.
