BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College will today Monday (Feb. 18) began its defence as title holders of the annual Giant Malt High School Cricket Tournament.
The 17th annual Cricket Tournament got underway Saturday, last, at Warner Park with an Opening Ceremony, which was followed by a series of 10-overs matches involving the defending champs, Cayon High School, Washington Archibald High School, Basseterre High School, Charles E. Mills Secondary, Gingerland Secondary and Charlestown Secondary.
In his presentation at the Opening Ceremony, President of the St. Kitts Cricket Association Auckland Hector said that he envisioned the day when a Kittitian could join other Nevisians on a West Indies team.
He called on all the young cricketers to enjoy their time on the field.
Steve La Place of Carib Brewery, which is the main sponsor of the Tournament, stated that his company has touched all aspects of sports in the country.
"We have touched every aspect of sports in St. Kitts, barring none."
He also commented on the 17 years that Carib Brewery had been sponsoring the Tournament.
"It has been 17 good years, 17 productive years and I wish the competition well."
Minister of Sports Hon. Glenn Phillip commended Carib Brewery for its contribution to sports in the Federation, stating that his Ministry is always happy to work with the organisation.
He added that the best prepared team, at the end of the competition, would be the one to lift the trophy and not the team with the best players.
Director of Sports Jeffery Hazel bowled the first ball to signal the start of the 10-over matches, which saw Washington Archibald High disposing of Charles E. Mills Secondary in the first game, followed by Charlestown Secondary whipping Basseterre High and Cayon High taking care of Washington Archibald High.
Disappointingly, however, Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College was scheduled to play against Charlestown Secondary in the Semi-final, and the winner would have met with Cayon High in the Final, but the match had to be abandoned.
The match was abandoned because no arrangement was made with the ferry to take the two teams back Nevis should the matches end later than scheduled, as they would have if the Semi-final was played.
The 17th annual Giant Malt High School Cricket Tournament officially begins today and, according to Senior Sports Officer in the Ministry of Sports Vernon Springer, a number of awards would be up for grabs.
He said that the Most Disciplined Team would be given the Sam Brandy Award, while the Best Umpire would get the Andrew Weekes Award. The person with the Highest Individual Score would get the Shane Jeffers Award, while the individual with the Most Runs would receive the Kieran Powell Award.
Additionally, the Best Wicketkeeper would get the Gareth Mathew Award, the individual with the Best Bowling Figures would receive the Nelson Boland Award and the Bowlers with the most Wickets would win the Elsroy Powell Award.
In 2012, and for the first time, the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament was given the Runako Morton Award and it is expected to continue this year.
