SVGCA honours two

Cardon Knights and O’Neil Bonadie were the two honourees at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association’s Awards and Presentation Ceremony which took place last Saturday night at the Methodist Church Hall.{{more}}

Knights, who is better known for his exploits as a businessman, is credited with being one of the founders of long standing local Cricket outfit Radcliffe, now known as OLA Boutique Radcliffe.

Knights was an ardent cricketer who bowled medium pace. He is acclaimed for dismissing the iconic Vincentian fast bowler Frank O Mason in the last match of his career.

Knights also had a career in the minor leagues in the United Kingdom, playing for the Enfield Cricket Club for several years.

He was responsible for the development of the Sharpes Playing Field, used by many in the Central Kingstown area.

The other honouree, Bonadie, is a former St. Vincent and the Grenadines leg spinner who performed national duty from 1966 to 1975.

Bonadie played for NSU and Radcliffe in the local Cricket competition, including the Narvo Shield and the Fraser Neckles competitions.

Bonadie is credited with scoring a century on almost every cricket ground in the country during his time.

His most memorable achievement, though, was his five wicket haul against Grenada in 1973 in front of his home crowd, which was pivotal in St. Vincent and the Grenadines winning the Windwards Competition that year.

Bonadie was a bowling and batting partner with Stanley “Gunny” Hinds, as they bowled and batted in tandem, with Hinds being an off spinner.

The two were known to be very crafty in running between the wickets, taking cheeky singles, and at time causing the opposing fielders to over throw the ball, as they played “cat and mouse” with them.

Following his departure from the national representation, Bonadie played a short while in the Seymour Firms Cricket Competition and in the Exiles Limited Overs Competition.

Last Saturday’s ceremony was held under the patronage of His Excellency, the Governor General, Sir Frederick Ballantyne.(RT)