Masters off to flying start

Another round of matches in the SVG Masters Cricket Tournament comes off this weekend. Eleven teams in two zones will play round robin matches, and the two top teams from each zone advance to the quarterfinal.

The teams are North Windward Combined, Stubbs Veterans, C.K. Greaves Vintage Arnos Vale, Belfongo Masters, P’Tani masters, and Police in Zone A.{{more}}

Zone B comprises Kingstown United, South Leeward Older Boys, Barrouallie Masters, Spring Village Masters, and Mr. Cool Veterans.

The tournament is carded to end mid-August, with the winning team taking home $1200 with $800 for the second placed team.

The tournament kicked off in grand style last Saturday at Calliaqua. Tourism Sports and Youth Minister, Glen Beache expressed happiness in seeing the start of the tournament. He endorsed the point that sports is important to the nation.

The fact that the masters are linked to youngsters from the Neil Williams Sports Academy served as another source of inspiration to the Minister.

He is looking forward to the “new bonds and friendships from the tournament and he praised the national Lotteries Authority for their involvement in the competition.

After the formalities, action shifted to the field of play, which saw the squad from the Windward zone secure a five-run victory over their leeward counterparts.

Windward piled up 193 for 8 from their 20 overs, led by Augustus Mofford 56 with Junior Bacchus 28 lending support.

Bradley Brooker 4 for 32 was the pick of the Leeward bowling.

Brooker hit 32 to round off a good all-round performance, and with contribution from Charles ‘Burke 30, Leeward ended on 188 for 7 off 20 overs. They needed 17 off the final over, but fell short. Monty Warner 3 for 34 was the chief wicket taker for Windward

Mr. Cool Veterans made light work of South Leeward Older Boys in the opening competition fixture.

Orville Franklyn 54 supported by Phillip ‘Tomato’ Anthony 11, steered Cool Veterans to 82 without loss in reply to South Leeward 79 all out.