Attackers, South Rivers share NLA Softball Cricket first place prize

It was more than a pleasant setting last Friday night at Murray’s Heights Hotel, Mc Kies Hill at the presentation ceremony for the inaugural National Lotteries Authorities 20/20 Softball Cricket Competition.

It was a stark contrast from the potentially explosive atmosphere that existed at the end of the final of that competition.{{more}} The final played Saturday, March 17, under the lights at the Victoria Park, ended under a cloud of controversy, with the match declared a tie following an enforced match ruling.

But last Friday’s there was a truce as the bounty from the proceedings were shared between Attackers and South Rivers, the two teams that reached the final.

Both shared with equity the combined first and second place prize monies that totalled $6000.Police which cashed in on $1500, for placing third, making it the biggest pay day for the top teams in any form of cricket tournament played in the state.

The remuneration continued with South Rivers adding $150 to the award for the first team to reach 150 runs in an innings achieved against Simple Boyz, with their captain Deighton Butler adjudged Player of the Final.

William Edwards of Kingstown Hill United with his 6 for 11 versus RLP Zenga collected the prize for the best bowling figures. Salvan Browne collected two awards. The RSVG Police’s premier batsman had the highest individual score 69.He also recorded the highest individual aggregate of runs, 192.

Norlan Williams of joint champions Attackers captured 18 wickets, to stash the Most Wickets award.

But the top award went to former national Under-19 player Stein Joseph. Representing Simple Boyz, Joseph scored 114 runs, with a highest score of 58 not out against Ajuba and bagged 13 wickets at a cost of 114 runs, to cop the Player of the Competition award.

In defending the National Lotteries decision to expend $67,000 on the competition, Manager Mc Gregor Sealey said that “it was money well spent” as it was truly a national event as it brought teams from almost every geographical zone of the country including the Grenadines.

He said that staging the competition which began February 9, “was very expensive”, however plans are in train to cut expenses in some areas for the 2008 edition, “but not that of prize monies”.

The twenty-four teams comprising 20 players each were all outfitted with jerseys and track pants compliments the National Lotteries Authority.

Last Friday’s ceremony was also addressed by competition director Stanley Hinds, Chairman of the National Lotteries Authority Murray Bullock and President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association Julian Jack.