Bermuda Put on the BestDisplay -
but our Local Lads Did Us Proud
There were sixdays of under-15 action by promising cricketers from Bermuda,the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.
Bermuda proved themselves the bestteam in a three-way under-15 cricket competition and a championshipmatch against Cayman, but the local lads can be proud of theirvaliant effort.
Cayman, Bermuda and the Bahamas squaredoff here in a series of limited overs matches in which the Bermudansemerged champions last week then, this much more experienced sidewent on the beat the home team again last Friday in another one-dayencounter for the Bank of Bermuda and Esso Standard Oil trophies.
Cayman drew first blood by beating the Bahamaswhen the International Cricket Council sponsored Western CaribbeanClassic bowled off on July 21 at the Smith Road cricket field,lost to Bermuda, went on the repeat that victory over the Bahamasbut lost again to Bermuda in the three-way series decider.
Throughout the matches Bermuda demonstratedthat they were in a league of their own but Cayman Islands NationalCricket Coach, Theo Cuffy, took heart from the experience gainedby his youngsters as exposure that would prove a stepping stonetowards improved performances.
"It gave them an opportunity to testthe level at which they might be now and know where they couldreach," he told Cayman Net News.
The ICC tournament was organised as partof a cricket development exercise for the countries. Cuffy saidthat at this stage the abilities of the Cayman boys were, however,no comparison to those from Burmuda where cricket has long beenon the road to development.
"We are getting there. We are buildingour structure. From the reaction of most of the youngsters, eventhose who turned up at the games but did not play, I am optimisticthat they will approach cricket more enthusiastically,"hesaid.
In the last match of the Western CaribbeanClassic, Bermuda defeated Cayman by 9 wickets. Cayman made 64runs with only captain Omar Willis (16) and Vincent Ebanks (10)showing resistance to the Bermuda attack. Justin Pitcher took3 wickets and was supported by Ajani Gibbons and Steven DeGraffwith 2 each.
Bermuda was 65 for 1 wicket at the closeas Rodney Trott (36n.o.) and Temiko Wilson (17n.o) guided theirteam to victory.
On Friday's encounter for the two trophiesBermuda batted first and was contained to 95 runs losing 3 wicketsin 24 overs.
The depth and strength of Bermuda battingwas seen as they took the score to 193 for 6 wickets in 40 overs.Cayman Ricardo Roach was the most successful bowler getting 3wickets for 20 runs. Marc Chin (24), Carl Morgan (19) and DanielKirkconnell (11) provided our home supporters with some thingto cheer as Rodney Trott (4 wickets) led Bermuda to victory by92 runs.
This was the second time the the two teamsmet for the Bank of Bermuda trophy, having played for it in Bermudalast year when the home team won. ESSO, sponsor of the CaymanIslands team, added its trophy to this annual match-up.
A grand function was held at the CrackedConch in West Bay on Saturday. Awards were presented. Allan Douglasand Ricardo Roach were the outstanding players from Bermuda andCayman respectively.