Trent Olive was the VI's leading wicket taker across the 4 games- picking up 6 in total and marshalling his team well as captain. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Hash Banthia was the leading run scorer for the VI with 85 runs in total. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The BVI Cricket Association’s Under 15 Boys team concluded participation in the Leeward Islands Tournament, with a defeat at the hands of eventual champions St Kitts on Saturday April 3, 2016 at the St Paul’s Complex in St Kitts. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

For many in the squad, it was a first taste of competitive cricket against their peers from islands such as Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, Antigua, as well as the host St Kitts and certainly a first experience playing at such a high standard facility.

The venue, a first class ground used recently in the WICB Professional League, was the home for the VI boys for all but one of their games and also provided the accommodation for the tournament.

VI boys bowl out Montseratt

The 50 over format was also something new to the VI lads, but in game one, against Montserrat, they managed to bowl the opposition out inside the allotted overs, much to the surprise of the fellow Overseas Territory.

Jerome Perera (2-28), Hash Banthia (2-37), Pratham Yadav (2-66) and Trent Olive (2-75) did most of the damage as Montserrat reached 274.

“We did well at the start,” noted Captain Olive, who went on to pick up 6 wickets throughout the competition to be the VI’s leading wicket taker. “It was hard work especially through the middle overs, but then we got back into it and bowled well at the death.”

The last nine overs went for just 31 runs.

The exposure to much faster and accurate bowling than used to back home soon had the VI Boy’s in a spin though as Devaun Sweeney (5-6) and Aiden Livam (4-11) ran through the batting line up to dismiss the Boys for just 24.

Tidy bowling performance against Anguilla

In their second game, against Anguilla, the VI put in another tidy performance with the ball to restrict the opposition to just 203-6, with Olive taking 2-37 and Joshua Cumberbatch grabbing 2-39.

The batting performance was also much improved, led by 37 from Hash Banthia, who was the VI’s leading run maker for the tournament. His innings against Anguilla included five 4’s, but still the team fell well short of the target, bowled out for 85.

The game against Nevis at the Cotton Ground in Nevis, apart from providing more excitement for the VI boys as they took to the Ferry across the water, was a rain affected affair, as a light shower crept under the covers and forced a delay until after lunch.

Batting first this time the Boys reached 79 from their revised 25 overs and were again led by Banthia, who notched 27, with three 4’s, but were ultimately undone in the search for a first win by the mighty Peter Charles who hit 29 in no time at all to see Nevis safely home.

A show of will & staying power

The fourth and final game against the champions’ St Kitts was a testament to the VI players new found staying power and will to battle it out as after a stunning catch by Daniel Gilford, leaping high with an outstretched hand at square leg, Kevon Esdille and Cordel Romney took the game by the scruff of the neck, combining in a 236 run partnership.

Esdille finally fell for 146 and Romney 83, with Perera taking 2-38.

Olive, Marcus Butler and Banthia all took 1.

In reply, Banthia hit 21 with two 4’s, but a very tired looking set of boys capitulated in the hot and windy conditions to be all out for 51.

“The trip was all about learning and showing the boys exactly where they are in comparison to their cricketing skills with the other players,” commented Charlie E. Jackson.

“Each of them stuck to the tasks well and all have shown a willingness to work hard and improve, yes there is a lot to be done to reach the required standards, but we are on the right path,” Mr Jackson added.

The young VI cricketers will now be returning to their respective school teams for an upcoming High School League.