Schools’ cricket title berths at Sandy Bay

The Sandy Bay Secondary in its maiden voyage to the finals of the United Insurance schools’ cricket competition, made off with the bounty – the title, the gold medals and the $500 winner’s cheque.{{more}}

But it was not an easy road to their moment of glory, as the match went down to the wire at the Arnos Vale Playing Field on Wednesday, March 27.

With their captain Denson Hoyte at the bridge, Sandy Bay reached the 150 needed, with one ball to spare, losing seven wickets in the process.

This was after the Petit Bordel Secondary had posted 149 all out in 35.2 overs of the 40-over affair.

Hoyte, a right-handed batsman, who plays for Victors Two in the National Lotteries Authority Premier Division of the national competition, came to the crease at 20 for 2. He was left 83 not out, and hit the winning run on the penultimate run of the 40th over.

Needing nine runs from the last over bowled by David Murray, Hoyte gathered two runs off the second ball, before hoisting the bowler for a six in the next ball.

Mixing aggression with circumspect, he struck three fours, flared four sixes and recorded 12 twos, sharing in crucial seventh wicket stand, which yielded 45 runs, with Sealron Williams.

Hoyte steadied the ship amidst some turbulence, as both took the score from 96 to 141. In the partnership, Williams made a solitary run.

Living a charmed life, Hoyte was dropped early in his innings and survived two scares of being run out, during his stay with Williams, escaping because of poor fielding and decisions by the Petit Bordel players.

In Sandy Bay’s successful chase, Dilworth Thomas scrapped 16, while Otis Matthews took 2 for 19.

At the end of the match, in delight, Hoyte told SEARCHLIGHT that he was aware of his role as his team’s senior batsman and captain.

“… I knew what I had to do, respect the good balls and hit away the bad ones,” Hoyte said.

“It is history for the school…. It is a good feeling for me and my team,” Hoyte summed up the mood which followed the final.

The Sandy Bay Secondary School is one of the youngest educational institutions here, having opened its doors in September 2005.

In the first half of the match, Allisko Samuel added some impetus to the Petit Bordel innings, as he slammed 45, made up of five sixes and one four.

Otis Matthews chipped in with 28, and there were 33 extras to Petit Bordel’s good.

Off spinner Sealron Williams snared 4 for 36, including a hat trick.

Williams had Alanso Hoyte LBW for 11, then sent back Phillon Lewis and Kenvil Harry, both caught in successive balls for 0.

Kurtney Pompey took 3 for 17 and Dilworth Thomas had 3 for 26.

The 2013 edition of the competition marked the 29th year of fellowship with the United Insurance. (RT)