CRICKET, lovely cricket! The term was constantly repeated at the Coin Exchange in Bedford, England, recently, as the presentation ceremony and gala dance of the Victoria Mutual Caribbean Challenge Cup took centre stage.

The Caribbean community came out in full force to honour those who made the competition a resounding success.

The competition, now in its lucky 13th year, was won by The Bristol West Indians who toppled the Birmingham Cavaliers with a good performance from Kevin Riley who made 73 to get past the target of 272.

However, he had to concede the man-of-the match award to Orville Pennant who struck 141 for Birmingham.

The trophy was presented to the club by the VMBS manager in the UK, Trevor Taylor and former West Indies skipper, James Adams.

Cricket is the number one sport for many Jamaicans and other Caribbean nationals in the United Kingdom. And the Victoria Mutual Caribbean Challenge Cup is said to be the most popular and prestigious cricket event for the Caribbean community.

VMBS' Taylor was beaming: "Victoria Mutual has enjoyed the support of the Caribbean Community within the UK over the last thirteen years," he said. "This year's competition has been our most successful to date. The competition is growing and we are now attracting not just the Afro-Caribbean community, but the Asian community and mainstream clubs in the UK. However, we have determined that it is best to restrict it to the Caribbean community," he added.

A spokesman for Bristol WI said he was proud to know that the late Laurie Williams, who played for both Jamaica and the West Indies (in one-day internationals), was sponsored by VMBS and given the opportunity to play for his team some years ago.

Among the special awardees for service to the game was Everett Bailey of Bailey's Cricket Club and Franklyn Hunter from Luton Caribbean who have both been involved with cricket in the United Kingdom for many years. Hunter's involvement goes back to more than 30 years. He visits the Caribbean on a regular basis as a cricket lover and supporter of the West Indies.

Trevor Bailey of Bailey's CC also received an award for service to the game.

Among the souvenirs that were auctioned was a bat signed by West Indians such as Courtney Walsh, Brian Lara, Carl Hooper, Curtly Ambrose, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Adams, and Junior Murray. It was sold for £350, the money going to the Winston Davis benefit fund.

Another bat with the signatures and statistics of some of the all-time former great cricketers such as Clive Lloyd, Sir Richard Hadlee, Michael Holding, and Asif Iqbal was sold for £1,000 and the funds given to charities in the West Indian community.

Also on hand were Reggae Boy Fitzroy Simpson and former West Indies fast bowler, Franklyn Rose, among others.

"I never played in the competition, but I have watched it over the years. I lot of very good friends of mine in the cricketing community take part in it every year. I think it is a good thing for the Caribbean Community in England. It reinforces the identity of Caribbean people, as cricket is something that the Caribbean people really enjoy," said Adams.

"It fosters community spirit among the Caribbean people in England and provides a wonderful opportunity for Caribbean cricketers to come to England and play cricket in conditions that they are not used to," Adams added.

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