The inaugural Cayman National Under-16 Cricket Tournament wrapped up a competitive month of action with two schools crowned champions.
The John Gray High School girls team secured the trophy in the girls’ competition, while the Clifton Hunter High School boys team captured the championship in their division. Both winning squads had to defeat St. Ignatius Catholic School to lift their respective trophies.
The girls start the action
Despite overnight rain and a delayed start, the girls’ final took place on Tuesday, 26 May at the Smith Road Oval in George Town.
“In the rain-shortened 12-over contest, St. Ignatius posted 86 for 5, with Mica Solas top scoring with nine runs. Daniqua Howell and Samaya Thomas led the John Gray bowling attack with two wickets each,” stated a Cayman National press release.
John Gray chased down the target efficiently, reaching 87 runs with only 2 wickets down in 10.5 overs to win the match by eight wickets.
Samaya Thomas led the charge with 19 runs, earning her the Player of the Match honours, while her teammate Daniqua Howell finished unbeaten on 16 runs.
Although St. Ignatius lost the final, Mica Solas took home major tournament honours, winning the Player of the Tournament, Most Tournament Wickets and Best Tournament Fielder awards.
Other girls division awards included Tillie Lomas of Cayman Prep for Most Runs and Jasmine Frederick of Clifton Hunter for Best Wicketkeeper.
John Gray’s coach Carla McGarvey-Blair, who was supported by assistant coach Chase Myrie throughout the tournament, expressed immense pride in her team’s accomplishment.
“I am incredibly proud of this group of young ladies and what they have accomplished. Throughout the tournament they demonstrated tremendous dedication, teamwork and resilience, and they rose to the occasion when it mattered most.
“To secure John Gray High School’s first-ever girls’ cricket title is a historic achievement and one that the players have truly earned through their hard work and commitment,” added McGarvey-Blair.
Boys final
The following day, 27 May, the Clifton Hunter High School and St. Ignatius boys took to the oval for their final match.
Clifton Hunter batted first and put up a total of 132 runs for 6 wickets from their 20 overs led by Dahavion Codner with 36 runs and Johann Smith contributed 31. Sachin Baxani was the pick of the St. Ignatius bowlers with two wickets.
St. Ignatius fell short in their turn at bat, finishing on 97 runs for 9 wickets from their 20 overs, giving Clifton Hunter a 35-run victory.
The Clifton Hunter bowling attack was led by Codner and Joshua Lawrence who claimed three wickets each.
Codner secured three post-game awards, taking home Player of the Tournament, Player of the Match and Most Runs of the Tournament.
For the remaining boys awards, Johann Smith of Clifton Hunter won Most Wickets, while St. Ignatius players Toby Davies and Dylan Jones won Best Wicketkeeper and Best Fielder, respectively.
Clifton Hunter’s coach Oral Wilshire, who was supported by assistant coach Nicardo Standbury, reflected on the win saying, “The boys played with confidence today and fully deserved the result. They executed our game plan well and supported one another throughout the match.”
He added, “This was a true team effort and a fitting reward for the commitment they have shown throughout the competition.”
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