Bayleys, Reynold Weekes in finals face-off
Two St Philip teams will journey to the Empire Club in Bank Hall, St Michael, today to battle for supremacy in the final of the annual Guardian Group Herman Griffith Primary Schools Cricket Competition.
Defending champions and four-time winners Bayleys will start as favourites over Reynold Weekes, whose lone title was in 1997 when the school was then known as St Martin’s Four Roads.
Bayleys, who were champions in 1993, 2006, 2011 and 2016, will be captained by fast-bowling all-rounder Shaquan Belle, who will be appearing in his third straight final.
The pacy Belle, who also has a century under his belt, will get support from openers Dajahree Brathwaite and nine-year-old Class 2 student, Damarco Wiggins; all-rounders David Callender and Reynaldo Bourne and wicketkeeper/batsman Mikai Clarke. Other useful players are Akobi Byer and Darien Harewood.
Reynold Weekes will be showcasing prolific opener Micah Greenidge, who has hit two centuries in this year’s competition and has also been among the wickets. His main support will come from all-rounders Jakeem Pollard and R’Jai Gittens; Joshua Brathwaite and Nykobie Connell.
In the Round of 16, Bayleys dismissed St Lukes Brighton for 42 and replied with 45 for one to win by nine wickets. They also won by nine wickets against Eden Lodge in their semi-final on Monday at Briar Hall after whipping Selah by 173 runs at the Desmond Haynes Complex in the quarter-finals.
Reynold Weekes comfortably defeated St Judes Primary by 112 runs in their Round of 16 match and triumphed over Grantley Prescod by seven wickets in the quarter-finals. They defeated St Giles by 34 runs in last Thursday’s semi-final.
The final will be a fitting farewell for long-serving National Sports Council coach Thelston Payne, who is retiring after 33 years coaching at various primary and secondary schools. Payne, a former Barbados and West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman, has the unique distinction of coaching both Bayleys and Reynold Weekes. (EZS)
