Excelsior claim urban T20 crown with crushing win over Campion

Excelsior High School delivered a commanding all-round performance to capture the ISSA First Global Bank urban area T20 title after demolishing Campion College by 125 runs in a one-sided final at Melbourne Oval yesterday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Excelsior posted an imposing 194 for 6 from their 20 overs, before skittling out Campion for a meagre 69 runs in reply.

A blistering opening partnership laid the foundation for Excelsior’s massive total. 

Opener Geovani Grey launched a ferocious assault on the Campion bowlers, smashing 57 off just 31 balls, including six fours and four towering sixes. 

His opening partner, wicket-keeper Savio Jones, contributed a rapid 37 from 25 deliveries, as the pair put on 113 runs for the first wicket before Grey was eventually bowled by Campion Captain Matthew Lloyd.

Excelsior Captain Demarco Scott, batting at number three, continued the onslaught with a fluent 42 from 27 balls, striking six fours.

Lloyd claimed his second wicket when Scott was caught by Antoine Campbell. 

Amir Lewis remained unbeaten on 11 as Excelsior closed on 194. Lloyd and Campbell finished with two wickets each for Campion.

If the first innings was a batting clinic, Excelsior’s reply with the ball was pure demolition.

Campion’s chase never gained traction as they lost Abraham Waugh lbw to Jovaine Williams for just one run in the third over. 

The wickets continued to tumble regularly, with Campion reeling at 36 for five at one stage.

The star of the show was Ricardo Clarke, who ran through Campion’s middle order with devastating figures of four for 10.

Clarke accounted for Lloyd, who made a top score of 15. He then sent back Zane Rodney (one), Zidane Francis (one), and Neo Xavier (seven).

Williams finished with figures of two for 12, while captain Scott chipped in with two for 11 as Campion were bowled out for 69 in 17.4 overs.

In the earlier match to decide third place, St Jago High School defeated Jamaica College by six wickets. JC posted 155 for 9, powered by Andrew Lloyd’s 57 and Josiah Neil’s 52, with Wayne Plummer taking three wickets. 

In response, Danza Hyatt Jr smashed an unbeaten 72, and Samuel Burger remained 62 not out as St Jago raced to 158 for three in just 16.5 overs.