Milo Lodge dethrones Combermere

A new champion school ascended to the Barbados Cricket Association Schools U19 Cricket Competition throne when Milo Lodge celebrated victory as Johann Layne hit the winning runs to see Nicholls Baking Combermere defeated at the Wanderers ground on Wednesday.

Set 119 to win by Combermere off the reduced 22 overs, The Lodge School floundered early under overcast skies, losing the two quick wickets of Tennyson Roach and Rivaldo Clarke. Both were dismissed by Shayon Blenman who wasted no time is rattling the nerves of the challengers again by sending Ramar Newton back into the dressing room for eight, caught by Jaden Leacock with the score on 22 for 3. Hakeem Perryman stepped up for Lodge try to stem the flow of wickets but he too fell after a lofty push to mid-on, leaving his team in trouble on 28 for 4.

Kwane Patton and Javere Callender came in and immediately focused on the task at hand, scoring runs without losing wickets. The two put on a 62 run partnership that took Lodge to 90 runs for 4 wickets before Callender lost his wicket hitting out and was caught at mid-off by Amari Goodridge. Patton would keep going and his new partner Johann Layne helped to take the pressure off by running well between the wickets along with playing some big shots around the ground Patton was caught in the deep for a well played 41 off 31 balls but he had done enough to confidently leave the rest to Layne and the Tremaine Dowrich. With the score on 115 for 6 in the 19th over, Layne’s pull shot not only lifted the ball over the ropes but pulled all his teammates out of their seats and they ran into the field to celebrate an excellent victory despite staring down defeat earlier. Layne did not mix matters and his 27 came off 14 balls including 2 sixes and 2 fours.

With the match reduced to a more thrilling 22 overs, Combermere batted too slowly in the first innings after losing both openers to Lodge pacer Devon Stevenson. Jaden Leacock and Seth Agard pushed the score along but there were too many dot balls in both their innings. Agard scored 43 off 44 balls while Leacock scored 33 off 46 with 52 dot balls between them. In the end Shayon Blenman threatened to successfully defend the small total of 118 but Lodge prevailed.

Coach of Milo Lodge, Clifton Phillips said that he felt great at winning the title and that it felt good to beat the defending champions.
“I feel good about it. The guys put in a lot of work and it is good that it all came together for the finals. It is good to dethrone who ever is there and as I said the guys put in a lot of work and it paid dividends today.”

After teetering on 28 for 4, Phillips said that it was natural to be nervous but from the beginning he told his team that they were a balanced side and each department was well served and the batting down the order helped them right the ship.

“Naturally yes there was a shaky feeling but I think we have a lot of batting because the two that were to bat at number 10 and 11 opened the innings during the season. So I am glad to see we had what it took and a guy that nobody really knows, came through, Patton, and got the man of the match with a brilliant 41.”

Once all goes to plan and the players continue to do well academically, Milo Lodge will have the full squad available to them next year. (AS)