Windwards take Under -15 regional cricket title

The Windward Islands are the 2007 Clico West Indies Under-15 cricket champions. The sub-regional unit completed their triumph last Monday beating the 2006 title holders and three times winners Jamaica by 8 runs, to end on eight points, the same as the host nation Trinidad and Tobago.

However, the Windwards secured the title having beaten Trinidad and Tobago in their head to head meeting. Their only stumble was a loss against Barbados.{{more}}

Going into last Monday’s final round, four teams Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the Windwards were in with chance of lifting the title.

The Windwards batted first and totalled 140, with Audi Alexander getting a topscore of 48.

He then took 2 for 27, Kavem Hodge 2 for 19, and Duranie Charles 2 for 10, as Jamaica fell short at 132 all out to give a sunrise to Windwards cricket. John Campbell struck 49 in a losing cause.

The journey to the title for the Windwards began with a four wicket win over Trinidad and Tobago. The host scored 206, which the Windwards replied with 207 for 6, with Dennis Smith, the nephew of Windwards and West Indies opener Devon Smith scoring 49 not out and Dwight Thomas 40. They then recorded a comfortable 87 run victory over Guyana. Hodge 42 was the Windwards’ principal scorer in their total of 171. Guyana were dismissed for 84, as Charles bowled his way to 5 for 8. Against the Leewards, the Windwards secured a 40 -run triumph. Smith again was in the limelight as the Windwards posted 181. Kyle James, who was adjudged the Windwards’ Most Valuable Player, then bagged 4 for 16, as the Leewards stopped at 140. But the eventual champions faltered against Barbados by 203 runs. Barbados amassed 324 for4, and then routed the Windwards for 121.

Manager of the Windwards squad, Vincentian, Samuel Holder summed up his young charges performance as “an allround effort”.

An elated Holder on his return last Tuesday along with two Vincentian selectees, Atticus Browne and Kenroy Lewis told SEARCHLIGHT “the guys did exceptionally well”.

He noted that unlike previous years, the Windwards team had players who were able to bat and bowl and contributed to the overall team effort.

Jamaica ended the tournament with six points along with Barbados, with the Leewards two and Guyana failed to win any of their five matches.

Considered the “whipping boys” at all levels of regional cricket competitions, this was the Windwards first silverware at the Under-15 level, since the tournament started back in 1996.

The others for the four member unit have been few and far between. Since the break away from the Combined Islands in 1982, which also had the Leewards, the Windwards senior team have tasted two regional one day titles and a single triumph at the Under-19 level.