There was much excitement at the Gingerland Secondary school on Friday 3rd December.  The shrieks and shouts emanating from the school yard were suggestive of the sports term in full gear.

A closer examination as to what was generating the excitement revealed that some of the boys at the school were engaged in a series of exciting cricket matches which had attracted the attention of the entire school.

Teachers and students were lined all around the grounds and except for two Teachers who were apparently enjoying a late lunch, it was hard to determine whether the students were outshouting the students. 

When a ball was played away into the onside, Deputy Headmaster Shefton Liburd was clearly heard to ask:  “Now can someone kindly explain to me why they only got one run from that ball?”  Every boundary, every wicket, every near miss, were cheered with equal fervour.
Additionally, former West Indies player Carl Tuckett had accepted the invitation to be the main umpire of the games.

Later it was revealed that what was generating the excitement was actually much more than just a cricket match.  Two of the students at the school: Bervis Burke and O’Brien Clarke had arranged the series of Cricket matches as a part of their SBA requirements for a CXC subject they are both attempting in Physical Education.

Their assignment as required by the examiners was to arrange a cricket match and ensure that all of the basic requirements were in place, right up to the actual match, complete with score cards etc.

The two young cricketers prepared the pitch, marked the creases, set the boundaries and arranged a series of matches between the house teams at the school.  Even the score sheets are to be submitted as part of the requirements.

At the end of the day, both young players thought that the day had gone well and thanked their Teachers and fellow students who helped them with the exam project. They were also pleased to see the return of West Indies under 15 player Lornel Dore to the cricket field after an extended absence.

It is certainly a new day when one can have such fun and at the same time get crucial emanation marks towards your academic endeavours.