Published 20 November 2018
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Prize giving signals the end of 2018 James Harris T20 Cricket League competition
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, November 20, 2018 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — After a successful campaign in a season where the weather was generally favourable to all, Back Street Cricket Club of Mansion found their calling and on Sunday October 28 captured the 2018 ‘Boys on the Ground’ James Harris T20 Cricket League championship after beating Molineux in the finals.
However the weather played some tricks on everyone concerned when the prize giving ceremony slated for Sunday November 11 was rained off. However, this did not happen on Sunday November 18 as Mansion Cricket Stadium got into a carnival mood when the Back Street team finally received their hard-won trophy, which they last held in 2014.
All the deserving players, officials, and diehard supporters received their gifts, awards, trophies, and medals on Sunday November 18. Ms Jannika Matthew assisted with the giving of the prizes. Back Street collected the trophy of the season, which they will keep until next year. Second placed team was Molineux.
Other prizes and awards were given to the youngest player – Ronvyl Williams; young player – Ronald William Jr.; Most runs – national player Jaheel Clarke; Most wickets – Pastor Phillip Webbe; Gifts were awarded to Miss Hillary Lawrence (champion diehard supporter of the league); Nigel Browne (scorer), Ms Vashney and Ms Jaylesa Francis (bartenders) among others.
“We had eight teams in the competition this year, with two new ones, HMP Ballers and Guyanese,” noted League Coordinator John Palmer. “They were put into two groups, ‘A’ and ‘B’. Group ‘A’ we had Front Street Limers, Christchurch, Molineux, and HMP Ballers. Group ‘B’ had Back Street who became champions this year, Tabernacle, Lodge, and Guyanese.”
The League Coordinator thanked all the sponsors and supporters of the league, naming them as Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, Elco Ltd, Stone Deals, Ideal Business Services, Mr Vince Matthew, Ms Vennetta Clarke, and Mr Brian Prentice among others.
For the first time the St. Kitts Cricket Umpires Association provided umpires for all the matches after the association would have been contacted by Ricky Scarborough-Clarke, one of the James Harris League organisers.
“I must say thanks to the umpires from the Umpires Association,” stated League Coordinator John Palmer. “We had at least five ladies from the Umpires Association. I want to say thanks to Mr Wycliffe Mitcham the training officer at the association, and Mr Luther Kelly, who is the president of that association as well.”
According to Wycliffe Mitcham, Training Officer, St. Kitts Cricket Umpires Association, five female umpires were used, noting that the association is recruiting female umpires and it is trying to push them. Mitcham and president of the association, Luther Kelly, used to come to the matches in Mansion just to guide the lady umpires.
The lady umpires were Elisa Claxton, Tynetta McKoy, Thelma Gumbs, and Sherline Malone from St. Kitts, and Josephine France from Nevis. According to the association’s Training Officer, Wycliffe Mitcham, the ladies did a very good job.
An exhibition 15-overs match between the new champions and upcoming Long Alley (LA) Cricket Club of Mansion, ended with a 39 runs win for Back Street. League coordinator John Palmer is hopeful that the youngsters (LA Cricket Club) will join the league next year. He is also hoping that Heights Cricket Club, which used to be part of the league, would make a comeback next year.
Past winners of the James Harris T20 Cricket League are Christchurch in 2008 and 2009, Back Street in 2010 and 2011, Tabernacle in 2012, Front Street Limers in 2013, Back Street in 2014, Molineux in 2015, and Christchurch in 2016. The league did not take place in 2017.
ENDS
Pix captions:
1: The victorious Back Street team with their trophy and individual medals.
2: Captain of Back Street, Gary Rogers, receiving the overall winner’s trophy from Jannika Matthew.
3: Members of the organising committee of ‘Boys on the Ground’ James Harris T20 Cricket League pose for a picture. Coordinator John Palmer is in the centre, standing, wearing green.
4: Assisting in giving the prizes and trophies was Ms Jannika Matthew, who is seen presenting a trophy to the youngest player, Ronvyl Williams.
5: In the exhibition match Terrell ‘Luc’ Wattley of Long Alley (LA) bowls to Bernard Liburd of Back Street. Wicketkeeper is Ejah Browne of LA.
6: One of the lady umpires from the St. Kitts Cricket Umpires Association, Elisa Claxton, in action during one of the matches at the Mansion Cricket Stadium.
