Bequia Cricket Association launched

The Bequia Cricket Association was formally launched at Clive Tannis Playing Field last Tuesday May 1, 2007. The event included a six overs a side competition, formal proceedings with brief remarks by several speakers, and a display of cricketing skills by youngsters.

The event began at 11:00 a.m. with the first of five matches in the cricket-o-rama competition.{{more}} That match, between Port Elizabeth and Church Boys, ended in victory for Port Elizabeth. Port Elizabeth scored 87 runs for two wickets and Church Boys replied with 72 for 7 in their allotted six overs.

The next match was between Aussies and West End Knockers. Aussies started well and compiled a challenging total of 77 runs for 2 wickets in their six overs. However West End replied positively, eclipsing that score in only three overs.

That match was followed by a break in the cricket for the formal part of the day’s program, during which brief addresses were made by Parliamentary Representative for the Northern Grenadines, the Honourable Godwin Friday, Deputy Director of Grenadines Affairs, Herman Belmar, President of the SVG Cricket Association, Julian Jack, Director of Sports, Nelson Hillocks and local businessman and cricket enthusiast, Sylvester Simmons.

The formalities were led off by President of the Bequia Cricket Association, Sylvanus Peters, who introduced the other members of the Association’s executive committee and outlined his expectations for the future of cricket in Bequia. Jack and Hillocks both pledged the support of their respective offices for the effort of the Bequia Cricket Association. Belmar highlighted the role of pioneering Vincentian cricketer, Charles Ollivierre, whose exploits in English county cricket many years ago have not been properly recognized. Dr. Friday praised the Association for its hard work and dedication to community service. He also called on other members of the community to become involved in community building. Sylvester Simmons wrapped up the addresses by presenting an historical overview of cricket in Bequia over the years and by encouraging the Association to continue with its effort. The youngster then took to the field and, under supervision of Ralph Stowe, displayed their skills and enthusiasm in all aspects of the game.

The cricket-o-rama competition resumed with a match between Manicou cricket team and Combined Youths. The latter team batted first and scored a mammoth total of 96 runs from their six overs, which Manicou in reply did not seriously challenge. The semi-final match between Combined Youths and Port Elizabeth was exciting, with Port Elizabeth scoring 76 runs for six wickets in the six allotted overs and Combined Youths managing only 67 for six wickets in reply. In the final match, between West End Knockers and Port Elizabeth, West Ends Knockers compiled 63 runs for two wickets in their six overs. Port Elizabeth could only manage 43 runs in reply, making West End the well-deserved winners of the six overs per side cricket-o-rama competition. Eight teams are taking part in the competition.