The Cavaliers Team, sponsored by NAGICO Insurances, will play in the final against Vikings. Missing from photo is Dorian Auguiste. Photo: BVICA

The Vikings Team members are greeted by spectators after beating Vincy. Photo: BVICA

Bront DeFreitas tried in vain to take Vincy to victory. Photo: BVICA

The Vikings Team members are greeted by spectators after beating Vincy. Photo: BVICA

In the first of the two matches played on the Virgin Gorda Recreation Ground, a Chris Gayle-type 65 off 24 balls by Aaron Baker saw Cavaliers scrape past Virgin Gorda All Stars by 2 wickets while chasing a massive 202.

Opening the batting after winning the toss in the first game, VG skipper Irving Hendrickson knocked off 33 in 18 balls, but his early departure paved the way for the partnership of the innings. Derrol Redhead and Maxford Pipe, 61 and 55 respectively, combined to thwart the much-vaunted Cavaliers bowling in a 92-run partnership that appeared to take the game away from the defending champions.

Denis Allister, with 26 off 10 balls, helped the VG score to over 200, as Roshan Hushrnan was Cavaliers’ best bowler with 1 for 19 off 4 overs, while Vijay Jhappan supported with 2 for 38 off his 4.

Cavaliers started briskly, with Captain Teddy Nandkishore in a big-hitting 66 off 34 balls. While he kept the Cavaliers within striking distance, there were steady wickets at the other end, although Vishal Bharat looked good with 25 and supported Nandkishore in a partnership that raised their hopes.

But Bharat’s dismissal was followed quickly by those of Kwesi Sinclair, Jagnarine Persaud and Jhappan, and suddenly the momentum was with VG. Fortunately for Cavaliers, Baker was already in full flow when 60 were needed off 30 balls. It eventually came down to 32 off the last 2 when he then took 21 off over number 19 bowled by Lesley Ambrose.

With 11 needed off the last over, a single off the first ball was followed by the wicket of Hushrnan. Another Baker 6, a single and a scampered leg-bye meant two were need off the last ball. A pulled 4 through square leg sealed victory for the Cavaliers.

In the second game, a strangling last over by Basheer Hydar, coupled with inept batting by his opponents, helped Vikings choke the Vincy for a 3-run win as they defended a modest 151.

The Vincy won the toss and sent the Vikings in to bat, a decision that might have been a good one, after they could only muster 151 all out in 19.1 overs. Mahendra Muneshwar contributed a quickfire 40 and was well supported by Steve Sinclair with 22. The pick of the bowlers for Vincy was Murray Olliviere with 3 for 21 off 4 overs, while Roy Cain took 2 for 22 off his 4.

In the Vincy chase, wickets fell at regular intervals and they were always behind the required run rate. Austin McDowell and Bront DeFreitas tried desperately to pull the innings together with 30 and 27 respectively but that was enough to take them past the target, as both perished in the final stages

With 8 needed off the final over, Hydar perhaps produced the best over of his life to end with 3 for 26 off 3 overs. But it was Richard Fredericks' off spin, with 3 for 15 off 4, which kept the Vincy at bay in the middle overs.

The Cavaliers will now play Vikings in the final on Sunday July 15 and the BVI Cricket Association has announced a subsidised $10 return fare on Smith's Ferry for all team supporters wishing to travel to VG to see the game.