Defending champions Combermnere ended an excellent season for the school by capturing the annual BNB Right Start Sir Everton Weekes Under-13 Cricket final at Kensington Oval yesterday.
Playing in sunny conditions despite the ocasional threat of rain, Combermere won the toss and elected to bat, reaching 138 all out off 33.5 overs.
They were spearheaded by a sensible knock from captain Najee Holder who scored 51 before being the last man dismissed.
He struck six fours off 73 deliveries before he was caught at long off going for a big hit off opening bowler Jaden Edmund.
He was ably assisted by Raneil Smith who was the only other batsman to reach double figures, scoring 27.
Medium pacer Jhered Morris-Sealy, who caused the early problems for Combermere’s batsmen, finished with three for 14 off four overs.
There were two wickets each for left-arm spinners Joshua Bishop (two for 17) and captain Keemar Burrowes (two for 28).
Any hope of Alexandra reaching the fairly challenging total quickly vanished as they slipped to 2-2 and later 24-4 from which they never recovered.
Their batsmen seemingly got bogged down by the Combermere bowlers and at 59-8, the writing was clearly on the wall. They eventually reached 82-9 off the full complement of 35 overs.
Morris-Sealy, who had a good all-round game, got 18 but his efforts were not enough on the day.
Pacer Raneil Smith was the most successful bowler for Combermere, finishing with three for 17, while slow bowler Runeko Layne took two for 22.
After the match a beaming coach of the victorious Combermere team, Roddy Estwick, was full of praise for his team.
“I think they did the school proud because this was the final match of the season and I think it is a tremendous credit to the lads,” he said.
“Actually our lads reached all of the finals this year and would have won three titles. I think we have had a great season.”
Estwick also praised the Alexandra School and their coach Renaldo Parris.
“I think they did well to reach the final and some praise should go to their young coach Parris who is showing the right attitude and is sure to make his presence felt from here on.”
Parris said he believed the turning point of the game came when Combermere were struggling on 88-5 but recovered through the sensible batting of captain Najee Holder.
He thought it was a good performance by the Combermere lads.
“No amount of praise is too high for coach Estwick who continues to do an excellent job with all of his charges,” Parris said.
Prizes were presented for performances throughout the season and the winners’ trophy was handed to Holder by West Indies legend Sir Everton Weekes.
