Kingston lift KWL U-15 cricket crown

Kingston's Under-15 cricket team lifted the 2015 Kingston Wharves Under-15 crown last Friday after they defeated defending champions St Elizabeth by 59 runs at Sabina Park.

As Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL) celebrates its 70th anniversary and 26 years as title sponsors of the competition, Kingston have achieved what could be considered a memorable victory.

Scores: Kingston, 171 for nine in their allotted 40 overs; St Elizabeth, 112 all out. George Seymour led the way for Kingston with 50 not out while Razzaq Williams scored 48.

In the bowling department, Rajiv Redhi bagged 4 for 26 from eight overs. He was supported by Matthew Comrie, 2-for 10, and Akeem Malcolm, 2-for 27.

Joseph Simpson, 20, and Joshua Watson, 16, top-scored for St Elizabeth, while Roberto Simpson took three wickets for 14 runs and Romario Moxam, two for 28.

"We went to the final last year with the same team and lost by one run. It was a big disappointment for most of us to lose a competition by one run, so to come back this year and do it all over with the same team is wonderful," said Kingston's coach Marlon Ramdeen.

St Elizabeth's coach, Tedroy Bromfield, bemoaned his team's poor fielding and bowling.

TOO MANY EXTRAS

"We had too many extras - 40. The boys didn't maintain their discipline and dropped some catches, so we let ourselves down by not doing the basics right," Bromfield said.

Mark Williams, chief operating officer of KWL, lauded the young cricketers.

"Young men, this is your starting ground. All the big-named players - Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, even Stafanie Taylor - they all came through Kingston Wharves Under-15, so you are having a good launching pad," he said.

Kingston Wharves awarded four cash bursaries to the most valuable players from the four semi-finalists, and their total sponsorship package is worth approximately $5 million annually.