Papine capture first Spalding Cup

PAPINE HIGH’S cricket coach, Shane Brooks, has revealed that his team’s innings and 22-run Spalding Cup victory over St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) was due to meticulous planning.

“We expected to get the better of STETHS, they are not as experienced as former years, and with our experience and unity, we knew we would stop them,” he said.

“We prepared meticulously. The Grace Shield is our first major cricket title, and to follow that up with the Spalding Cup is history for the school and a wonderful feeling,” he added.

St Elizabeth’s Technical cricket coach, Clive Ledgister, said their dominance in schoolboy cricket will not end after their embarrassing defeat in two days but he described it as “disappointing”.

“To lose by an innings when you’re Headley Cup champions and kingpins of schoolboy cricket was disappointing,” he said. “STETHS’ dominance of schoolboy cricket discouraged a lot of schools over the years, so what Papine has done will boost the confidence of others,” Ledgister added.

Leg-spinner Rushawn Lee was the hero for Papine as he ended with match figures of nine for 55. He took five for 32 in the first innings when STETHS were dismissed for 71 then followed that up with four for 23 as the defending champions fell for a second innings 106. Papine had posted 199 in their only innings.