Bermuda Under 19s 185;

Antigua Schools 93

Bermuda Under-19s returned to winning ways in Barbados yesterday by recording a comfortable 92-run win over Antigua Schools at the Conrad Hunt ground in St.Andrews.

Inspiring the Island’s young representatives to victory was skipper Rodney Trott, who led by example by stroking a responsible 63 off 74 balls and then collecting a three-wicket haul to spur his team to their second win at the Sir Gary Sobers International Schools Tournament.

Trott featured in two of three fruitful partnerships that laid the platform for Bermuda’s unassailable total, first adding 50 runs for the sixth-wicket with all-rounder Jordan DeSilva (23) and then another 44 runs with the diminutive Dennico Hollis (13) for the seventh — as the visitors piled up 185 all out in 40 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat in ideal conditions.

Bermuda also received useful contributions from opener Stephen Bremar jr (37) who along with fellow opener Terryn Fray (14) produced an opening stand worth 58 runs to give their team a good start on an easy-paced strip in sweltering conditions.

“We got off to a good start and overall we have been pleased with our batting. I think we are coming along nicely against teams that have good bowling attacks. We have been making decent scores, but I still think there’s some work to be done,” commented assistant coach Arnold Manders.

Medium pacer Paul Harris emerged as the Antiguan’s best bowler with figures of three for 43.

Asked to score at 4.5 runs per over in reply, Bermuda’s opponents quickly found themselves under pressure after seamers Kyle Hodsoll (two for 17) and DeSilva (one for 18) made the early breakthrough with the new ball to leave the opposition tottering at 54 for four after 13 overs.

Off-spinners Trott and Tamari Tucker then tightened the noose before the Antiguans were eventually dismissed well shy of the target in the 31st over. Tucker led the Bermuda bowling with outstanding figures of three for nine off seven overs while Trott provided solid support by seizing an equally superb three for 17.

Damon Brown (16) led the Antiguan’s batting.

Yet despite dismissing their opponents cheaply, Bermuda coach Manders remained far from impressed with his team’s overall bowling that he describes as “wayward at the moment”.

“We still have a lot of work to do because we are spraying wides all over the place. Our bowling has to be more consistent,” he said. As for Trott’s fine all-round display, Manders acknowledged: “Rodney has been bowling well so far. And batting-wise today was his first opportunity to come in with something like 28 overs left.”

Trott curbed his aggressive instincts and worked the gaps rather than push the accelerator to the floor in search of quick runs. The St.George’s Cup Match all-rounder struck four boundaries.

“He really batted sensibly and was able to pick up the singles and build an innings,” Manders added.

After picking up a win in their first outing against Queen’s Park Combined last Monday, Bermuda’s Under-19s suffered back-to-back losses to Dominican Schools and Trinidad’s Under-17 national team before rebounding with yesterday’s convincing win.

“It’s nice to have a win. Even though those losses were close, they were starting to affect the team’s morale. And even though we still a few tough matches left to play, I think we can pick up some more wins,” Manders said.

The Island’s youngsters have today off to recover before returning to practice tomorrow to prepare for Monday’s match against BCL Juniors at the Wayne Daniel Field in St.Phillip.