Youth team complete clean sweep
Bermuda's under-15 national cricket team returned home victorious over the weekend after overpowering their opposition en route to hoisting the inaugural Regional Americas Youth Cricket Championship in Orlando, Florida.
After recording comfortable wins over tournament hosts USA, Canada, Cayman Islands and the Combined Affiliates, the Island's youngsters saved their best for last as they crushed Argentina by a whopping 344 runs to complete a clean sweep.
In the final match, Jahson Smith topped Bermuda's batting with a polished 83 while Allan Douglas II stroked 72, Dwyia Blyden 46, Derrick Brangman 37 not out, Temiko Wilson 34 and skipper Rodney Trott 35.
Bermuda then dismissed Argentina for a paltry 56 in just 20.4 overs.
Bermuda skipper Trott (115 runs in total and a combined nine wickets for 49 runs) was voted the tournament's most valuable player, while Blyden captured the most wickets (ten) during the week-long competition which was held at the Disney Wide World of Sport Complex in Orlando.
Cayman Islands finished second and Canada third.
Cayman Islands batsman Ricardo Roach scored the most runs in the competition with 231, while Canada's Ryan Lall (140) and Caymans' William Quin (108 not out) scored the only two centuries.
"Those guys (Bermuda) outclassed the competition in every department of the sport and I can't give them enough credit. They are a great bunch of guys to work with," noted Bermuda coach George Cannonier.
"It's sad, though, that now they have to disband because they are not eligible anymore for the under-15 competition, so they have given themselves a nickname so that they will be able to remember each other when they get older. That nickname is the Ten Time Toppers (TTT).
"This was the second straight year that they went on tour together and in all they played ten games and won them all."
Coach Cannonier was also impressed by the behaviour and cohesiveness of the team overseas, adding that everyone took notice of how the Bermuda players seemed to enjoy each others' company both on and off the pitch.
"They really supported each other on the field whether it was batting or bowling and they knew that they had a job to do and they worked together as team in doing it," he added.
"There was no anxiousness between any of the players or arguments. They all went there and enjoyed their cricket and it was really noticed by their opponents, coaches and all. They were saying that USA got on particularly well with them and they were really popular with the other teams. I think that it was their ability to like each other and get along with each other that was really impressive."
Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president Reggie Pearman said: "I am proud of our team's performances.
"Not only did they complete a clean sweep, it was done in style.
"In no match did the opposition come close to scoring 100 runs and in the games that we batted second our concentration was strong as we knocked off targets without losing any wickets. It has been a testament to the boys' talent and hard work as well as the abilities and perseverance of the coaching staff."