UTech, GC Foster in Twenty20 final

Raymond Graham, Sunday Gleaner Writer

DEFENDING champions UTech Knights and GC Foster College will meet today at noon in the final of the UTech Twenty20 Cricket competition after both teams had contrasting results in yesterday's final preliminary round of matches. In the opening game, the defending champions defeated The Mico University College by 67 runs for their third consecutive win while GC Foster picked up a valuable point to finish on four points, as the umpires called off their game against UWI Pelicans because of bad light.

In the opening game, openers Jeffrey Scott and Elvis Watson put on 20 for the first wicket before Watson was bowled by spinner Ricardo Ennis for 13. The consistent Brian Scott joined Scott at the wicket and both had an entertaining second wicket partnership of 64 runs before Scott was caught off the bowling of pacer Vander Rowe for 26 with the total on 84.

The home team had a slump in the middle as they lost three quick wickets to drop to 90 for five. Brian Clarke hit a top score 41 and Richard Williams hit a quickfire 27. Rowe, with three for 16, was the top wicket-taker.

Mico were off to a terrible start when opener Herman Henry fell for no score as pacer Ricardo Williams trapped him leg before wicket with the Mico score also on zero.

Zeneiffe Fowler hit a patient 34 for Mico but the other batsmen failed to negotiate the bowling of right arm off-spinner Christie Jones as they crumbled to 78 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. Jones, the first player to take five wickets in the tournament, ended with five for 11 off his four overs.

The second encounter between UWI Pelicans and GC Foster College was delayed by some 90 minutes due to rain and when the game started it was reduced to 15 overs per team. The game, however, ended in a no result. Scores: GC Foster 96 for nine; UWI 11 without loss in 4.5 overs. The final will be played at the University of Technology.