Garden and Forties set for Knockout Cup clash
Defending champions Spring Garden Cavaliers and Forties set up a rematch of last year’s final when they breezed through their Commercial Cricket League Knockout Cup semi-finals.The final — weather permitting — will be at Shelly Bay on Sunday.Cavaliers thrashed Forties by seven wickets after dismissing their opponents for 114 in last year’s final to complete an unprecedented clean sweep of the league’s four major trophies.Victory on Sunday would give Cavaliers three titles this season — their only defeat came in the Twenty20 League Cup when they lost to Jamaican Association in the semi-finals in June — after they beat Forties in the season-opening Memorial Trophy game and later wrapped up the league title with two matches to spare.Last week’s T20 final ended in a tie between Jamaican Association and Forties.Bad light prevented a super over to decide the winners.A replay was ruled out and both clubs have agreed to share the cup.Forties had the upper hand against the same opponents in Sunday’s KO semi-final at Garrison Field, however, beating nine-man Jamaican Association by eight wickets with more than 20 overs to spare despite an early wobble.Forties, who won the toss, bundled out the Jamaicans for 88 in 29.4 overs and then replied with 90-2 in 19.3 overs.Number seven Lucky Morrison topscored for the losers with 22 as six bowlers shared the wickets. David DeSilva was the pick of them with2-26 from his allotted eight overs.Forties stumbled in their reply, losing openers Simon Jones and Robin Stovell to Neil Anglin (2-20 from five overs) with only six runs on the board.But in-form Yatin Gawas, with an unbeaten run-a-ball 48, which included three sixes and two fours, and Guyle Pietersz (30 not out from 52 balls) added 84 in an unbroken third-wicket stand to seal victory.“They had us a little worried at 6-2,” Forties’ skipper Gordon Campbell said yesterday.“(Khyri) Easton and Anglin bowled with a little fire and with movement. We only had 21 off the first eight overs but Yatin and Guyle steadied the ship and brought us home.”Eight-man North Village, who chose to bat, were bowled out for 80 in18.1 overs by nine-man Cavaliers at Shelly Bay, Dion ball topscoring with 20.Janaka Pereira led the Cavaliers attack, claiming 4-32 in seven overs.He was well supported by Craig Smith, who took 2-14 from 4.1 overs.Openers Ricardo Waldron (41 not out) and David Gibbons (21) helped knock off the runs in 13.1 overs as Cavaliers replied with 81-1.