For the second straight year Anthony Alleyne, the left-handed opener and captain of the champion Barbados side, was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

by PHILIP SPOONER

The National Sports Council's Under-13 cricket team maintained their unblemished record as they won their fifth and final match in the St Kitts Under-13 Cricket Festival.

It was the third consecutive tournament win for Barbados in the tenth year of the competition. Yesterday, the Bajans trounced Anguilla by 139 runs at the new Warner Park in Basseterre – a victory which manager Adrian Donovan said proved the side's strength and desire to win.

Barbados batted first and made 185 for six in 25 overs, with fast bowler Jerome Stuart hitting 60 in his new role as opening batsman. The Anguillans could only get 46 in 16.4 overs, with leg-spinner David Allamby picking up three for four.

"We made some changes in the batting line-up today (yesterday), but we were still focussing on winning the match and keeping our good record intact," Donovan said from the tournament village.

"This year we showcased our dominance in an interesting way. We were without five of our better players, who are on a tour of England with Wanderers, but yet we were able to come here and win. That speaks volumes for the quality of our programmes at the junior level in Barbados."

Donovan said that Barbados had always been the "team to beat" in the tournament and this was one of the motivating factors behind the side's desire to win.

"Everybody comes here looking to beat the Bajans, and we know that. I always tell the boys that we are here for development, but part of the aim is also to win the trophy as well. The boys like winning ... who doesn't."

For the second straight year Anthony Alleyne, the left-handed opener and captain, was again named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. He smashed two centuries – a tournament-record 137 against St Kitts and 100 not out off 85 balls against Nevis.

Summarised scores: Barbados 185-6 in 25 overs (Jerome Stuart 60 – 6x4, Anthony Alleyne 31, Justin Greaves 21, Dario Harris 20, Shane Parris 19) Anguilla 46 in 16.4 overs (Shakeem Saunders 11; David Allamby 3-4; Jameel Stuart 2-7, Alleyne 2-4, Carlos Maynard 2-16) Barbados won by 139 runs.