INVINCIBLE did not let the rain get in the way as they defeated Paragon Sports and Cultural Club on the Duckworth-Lewis method in the North Zone T20 competition on Thursday afternoon at the Diego Martin Sporting Complex.
In the first match of a double-header, Invincible won the toss and opted to bat first but lost wickets consistently along the way.
The game was reduced to 17 overs after rain interrupted the game in the second over.
Opener Shamir Ali propped up the innings with 34 runs while Raphael Ali chipped in with 29. Kennard Maison and Sherwin Benjamin took three wickets each for Paragon as Invincible ended on 143/9.
It left Paragon chasing 144 runs to win from 102 balls. They also lost wickets consistently in the chase. Brent Lezama topscored with an unbeaten 23 as Paragon stumbled to 109/5 in 17 overs, losing by 35 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method. Raphael had 2/21 for Invincible.
Meanwhile, in the day's second game, Renaldo Sammy led Police to a resounding victory over Barataria Ball Players. The latter won the toss, opted to bowl first and were met with a 67-run opening partnership between Imran Hosein and Antonio Gonzales.
Hosein hit 28 while Gonzales made 35.
However, it was Sammy's power-hitting that stole the spotlight. He smashed 71 runs from 36 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, to propel Police to 205/5 from their 20 overs. Rayad Emrit chipped in with an unbeaten 32 from 21 balls.
In response, opening batsman Romel Kimkeran led the way with 37 for Barataria Ball Players. It was the top score of the innings and included three fours and three sixes. Marlon Phillip hit an aggressive 32, but Barataria Ball Players would only get to 152/8 before running out of overs. They went down by 53 runs, with Justin Joseph finishing with 3/27 for Police.
It meant Police topped their group by virtue of a better net run rate than Santa Cruz. Both teams finished with seven points.
In the other group, Glenora Sports Club also finished on top of the standings by virtue of a better net run rate. Glenora, Savannah Boys and Invincible all finished with six points but Savannah Boys pipped Invincible for a semi-final spot.
The semi-finals take place on Sunday, with the first match at 2 pm and the second at 6.30 pm at the Diego Martin Sporting Complex.
SUMMARISED SCORES
INVINCIBLE 143/9 (16.3 overs) - S Ali 34, R Ali 29; K Maison 3-20, S Benjamin 3-21 vs PARAGON 109/5 (17 overs) - B Lezama 23 not out, N. Benjamin 17; R Ali 2-21. Invincible won by 35 runs (D/L method).
POLICE 205/5 (20 overs) - R Sammy 71, A Gonzales 35, R Emrit 32 vs BARATARIA BALL PLAYERS 152/8 (20 overs) - R Kimkeran 37, M Phillip 32; J Joseph 3-27. Police won by 53 runs.
SUNDAY SEMIFINAL FIXTURES
Police vs Savannah Boys, 2 pm
Glenora vs Santa Cruz, 6.30 pm
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