SDC T20: Old Harbour in must-win game after losing to Johnson Mountain

The two-time national champions defeated White River of St Ann on the weekend, before going down by three wickets to St Thomas representatives Johnson Mountain 24 hours later in round-of-16 matches in Group A.

The results see Johnson Mountain sitting atop the group after eking out a narrow six-run win over Eastwood Park Gardens in the Chedwin Park double-header on Saturday. Old Harbour, with a superior net run-rate, are in second position ahead of White River who defeated Eastwood Park Gardens by two wickets in another double-header at Chedwin Park played the following day.

A five-wicket victory over White River may seem easy on paper, but the game came down to a nail-biting climax, with Old Harbour (134/7) triumphing off the penultimate ball in their run-chase after restricting their opponents to 133/7 off 20 overs.

Durant White (50) topscored for White River against the bowling of Romario Halstead who bagged four for 24. Old Harbour were made to work hard for the win led by the experience Ronville Brown, who was unbeaten on 43.

In the early game Johnson Mountain, 161/9 off 20 overs edged, Eastwood Park Gardens, 155/9 off 20 overs.

All four teams returned to the same venue with White River (128/8 off 16.5 overs) overcoming Eastwood Park Gardens (127/9 off 20 overs).

Old Harbour (113/7), the only former champion remaining in the competition, were outplayed by Johnson Mountain (115/7), who won with 20 balls to spare.

Keith Hibbert (29), Devoy Smith (22) and Terrence Brown (21 n.o) all failed to capitalise on good starts for Old Harbour, as Johnson Mountain’s Gavaska Malachi captured three for 18. Malachi then returned with the bat to topscore with 27, while Halstead ended with two for 12.

The top-two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.