Eswatini scraped through to 115/8 in a bowling-dominated contest that saw both sides struggle against disciplined pace attacks. Hujeifa Jangariya top-scored with 36 off 29 balls, but no other batsman crossed 20. Saint Helena's Melusi Magagula was the standout bowler, taking 4 for 10 — a miserly spell that sucked the life out of Eswatini's innings. Adil Butt chipped in with 2/20 as Saint Helena kept things tight throughout.
Chasing 116, Saint Helena crumbled badly. Jamie Essex fought hard with 30 off 44 balls, but the rest folded under Rhys Francis's 3/17. The visitors never got going — 88 all out in 18.4 overs told the story of a team outgunned. Saint Helena's best moment came early when Delroy Leo smashed 9 off 6, but it wasn't enough to stall the collapse. Joey Thomas chipped in with 2/27 as Eswatini's bowlers tightened the screws in the middle overs.
Both teams served up an uneven batting display, but Eswatini's 27-run margin proved decisive. In a qualifier where margins are thin, the ability to lose fewer wickets — Eswatini 8 down versus Saint Helena all out — made the difference. This wasn't cricket for the purist, but it was cricket that counted.