Trinidad and Tobago Red Force marched confidently into Saturday’s CG United Super50 Cup final, dismantling the Leeward Islands Hurricanes by eight wickets in their last preliminary encounter at the Queen’s Park Oval.
The dominant victory pushed T&T past Barbados Pride to the top of the table, an ascent aided by the Pride’s abandoned match against the Guyana Harpy Eagles.
While the Red Force can now look ahead to contesting the championship, the Pride are left anxiously scoreboard-watching. Their fate hinges on the outcome of the day/night showdown between the Windward Islands Volcanoes and the Jamaica Scorpions.
Volcanoes still in the hunt
The Volcanoes entered the final round on 17 points, five behind the Red Force and needing a substantial haul to keep their own hopes alive. With a maximum 16 bonus points available, they require at least 13 to leapfrog the Pride and join T&T in the grand finale.
Webster and Jangoo guide a straightforward chase
T&T’s pursuit of 214 never drifted off script. The innings was anchored by commanding half-centuries from Tion Webster and Amir Jangoo, who propelled the hosts to 214 for two in 43.1 overs after a disciplined bowling performance had restricted the Hurricanes to 213.
Webster and Cephas Cooper laid a solid foundation with an 84-run opening partnership before Cooper was bowled by off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall for 28. Jangoo joined Webster and continued the steady advance, adding 88 runs for the second wicket to choke off any Leeward Islands fightback.
Webster appeared poised to guide his team across the finish line before edging left-arm seamer Nathan Edward for 83 from 117 deliveries, an innings laced with 10 fours and one six. Unfazed, Jangoo closed out the match with Jyd Goolie, adding an unbroken 42 for the third wicket. Jangoo ended unbeaten on 72 from 85 balls, peppered with eight boundaries, while Goolie contributed a brisk 23 not out from as many balls.
Jaipaul and Hinds break the Hurricanes’ backbone
Earlier, the Red Force attack had struck with precision and power. Pacers Ricky Jaipaul and Terrence Hinds shared six wickets to dismantle the Hurricanes’ top and middle order.
Hinds drew first blood, removing Kofi James for eight, then adding Carlon Bowen-Tuckett (5) and Mikyle Louis (13) to leave the visitors tottering at 31 for three. Captain Karima Gore attempted to mount a recovery with a gritty 39, while wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton’s 71 revived the innings. Cornwall chipped in with 20, but the Hurricanes never found sustained momentum.
Jaipaul extinguished hopes of a late surge by dismissing Hamilton, Jewel Andrew, and Cornwall to finish with an impressive 3-32. Hinds completed his haul with 3-50, ensuring T&T had a manageable target on a placid surface.
