Super50 Cup: Defending champs Ja Women lose thriller against Leewards

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

Defending champions Jamaica Women lost for the second time in four matches, going down by one wicket in a thriller to the Leewards Islands Women in the CG United Women's Super50 Cup yesterday.

Trinidad and Tobago Women trounced Barbados Women by five wickets to hand them their first loss of this year's competition, while Guyana Women were comfortable winners over the Windward Islands Women by seven wickets.

At Warner Park: The Leeward Islands Women pulled off an exciting one-wicket victory over Jamaica Women in a match that went down to the last over.

Chasing 254 for victory after Jamaica Women posted a formidable 253 for nine from their 50 overs, the Leeward Islands were led by an unbeaten 88 from Amanda Edwards that propelled them to 257 for nine off 49.3 overs.

The Leeward Islands seemed headed for defeat after falling to 76 for four, but Edwards and Jahzara Claxton, who made 34, added 58 runs for the fifth wicket to give them some momentum.

And when Claxton and Reniece Boyce fell in quick succession to leave them perilously placed at 145 for six, Edwards found a reliable partner in Kimberly Anthony (37), during an 80-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Much was still needed when Anthony fell to make the score 225 for seven in the 44th over, but Edwards, who faced 101 balls and struck seven fours and one six held her cool to see her team to safety.

Earlier, Rashada Williams scored 86 from 114 balls and Abigail Bryce made a run-a-ball 72, to put Jamaica in a strong position.

The pair added 82 for the fourth wicket, which saw Jamaica coasting at 201 for four at one point, until Anthony grabbed five wickets in quick time to undermine their efforts.

Anthony finished with 5-34, while Claxton and Edwards both grabbed two wickets.

At St Paul's Sports Complex: Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) spun a web around Barbados Women's batters to register a crucial five-wicket win over the tournament leaders.

Entering the round having won all three of their matches, Barbados produced a forgettable batting performance to be routed for just 76 in 40.5 overs.

T&T's spinning quartet of Anisa Mohammed (3-12), Samara Ramnath (3-13), Karishma Ramharack (2-15) and Steffie Soogrim (2-20) caused havoc, with four batters being dismissed without scoring.

Twin sisters Kyshona Knight, who topscored with 23 and Kycia Knight, who made 20, were the only two Barbados players to score in double digits.

T&T Women were never in any trouble during their run chase, and despite losing four wickets for 14 runs, they still easily overhauled their target, finishing on 77 for five in 22 overs, with Djenaba Joseph scoring an unbeaten 27.

At Conaree Sports Club: Guyana Women completed a straightforward run chase against the Windward Islands Women to register a seven-wicket win.

Off spinner Plaffiana Millington took 3-27 and Cherry-Ann Fraser (2-16), Ashmini Munisar (2-18) provided good support to help Guyana skittle out their opponents for 97 in 38.1 overs.

Abini St Jean and Holly Charles topscored with 17 runs, while Afy Fletcher made 15 in a disappointing display with the bat by the Windward Islands.

Guyana then made light work of their target, reaching 101 for three in 25 overs.

They were led by an unbeaten 48 from Realeanna Grimmond, while Shabiki Gajnabi ended on 32 not out.