PROVIDENCE, Guyana, CMC – The Barbados Royals have cemented their dynasty by completing a perfect season and securing an unprecedented third consecutive Massy Women’s CPL title in a heart-stopping finale that went down to the final over against a gutted Guyana Amazon Warriors here on Wednesday.
In a match that twisted and turned until the very last ball, the Royals, guided by a cool-headed Aaliyah Alleyne, chased down a target of 137 to win by three wickets with just two deliveries to spare, extending their remarkable dominance over the Warriors to a perfect 9-0.
The Warriors, asked to take the first strike, posted a competitive 136-3, built on a steady foundation from opener Amy Hunter, who scored 29 and a crucial, unbroken 56-run partnership from Dane Van Niekerk who was left unbeaten on 27 and captain Shermaine Campbelle who was not out on 28, this after the dangerous Stafanie Taylor was forced to retire hurt on 15.
The Royals’ chase began shakily, losing two early wickets. Even a brisk 25 from tournament star Chamari Athapaththu ended in the power-play, leaving the innings in the balance.
Kycia Knight and Courtney Webb, with 31 runs apiece, patiently rebuilt, and their knock seemingly set the champions on a smooth course to victory at 108-5.
Then, chaos ensued. A stunning collapse saw two quick Royals wickets fall for just two runs, swinging the momentum violently back towards the hosts and setting up a grandstand finish.
With 19 needed from 12 balls, seamer Molly Penfold stepped up, only for Aaliyah Alleyne to unleash the decisive blow, a massive six followed by a crushing four that plundered 15 runs from the penultimate over and shattered the Warriors’ hopes.
Needing just four from the final six balls, Alleyne, with 17 not out and Shreyanka Patil, 10 not out, kept their nerve, sealing the victory and triggering wild celebrations for the ladies in pink and heartbreak for the spirited Warriors.
For her stellar all-round performance, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer and taking seven wickets, Chamari Athapaththu was deservedly named Player of the Series.
Warriors’ Ashmini Munisar, who picked up three wickets in the final, and Laura Harris shared the prize for Most Wickets with eight apiece.
But the night, and the trophy, belonged solely to the Royals, whose three-peat confirms their status as the undisputed powerhouse of women’s Caribbean Premier League cricket.
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