Boscobel were crowned champions of the Sandals St Mary Maurice Clarke Big Bash T 20 cricket competition when they scored an exciting seven-wicket win over arch-rivals Port Maria in the final last Sunday, before what is being described as the biggest crowd seen for a finals at the venue.

“We are extremely elated at winning the trophy,“ noted an exuberant Tyrone Daley, captain of the victorious team, who plays for G C Foster in the Senior Cup. “It is a testimony to teamwork and hard hours of training, and I am very pleased with the performance of the lads.”

Batting first in the competition also sponsored by Costley Construction, Braham service stations and Parkway Pharmacy, Port Maria chalked up 142 for 8 from their 20 overs — with Ronville Brown 31, Devoy Smith 30, and Dalton Howell 25 being the main scorers against Daniel Ricketts’ four overs — 3-26 and Horace Whitehorn four overs 3-28.

Port Maria had a good start and were going well after eight overs but could not maintain the momentum to the end, as the Boscobel bowlers pegged them back.

In their turn at the crease Boscobel smashed 143-3 from 16 overs, thanks to Herman Henry who scored a well-compiled 51 not out, Robert Weir 39 not out, and Alwyn Williams 27. Richard Grey had four overs and took 2-23.

Williams, who plays for the Jamaica Scorpions, was in majestic form at the start of the innings, smashing some exquisite boundaries, but gave his hand away going for a massive six. Henry and Weir, however, played with great maturity to see Boscobel home.

The winners of the competition will receive $100,000, second place $50,000 and third $30,000, at a presentation ceremony to he held at Beaches Ocho Rios.

In the play-off for third place, Gayle defeated Days Mountain by 81 runs. Gayle made 172-7 with Allando Ribinson top scoring with 77, while Days Mountain could only muster 90-5. Robinson actually reached his 50 off just 14 balls and was in imperious form.

President of the Jamaica Cricket Association, Billy Heaven who, along with CEO Courtney Francis and Assistant Secretary Clinton Clarke, attended the final, and hailed the St Mary Cricket Association for a well-run competition. Heaven said he was heartened by the massive crowd support, which showed that cricket was alive and well in that parish.

Ian Spencer, president of the St Mary Cricket Association, was pleased at the standard of cricket played during the competition, especially the batsmen who chalked up a number of centuries.

“We are trending in the right direction and with our youth academy coming on stream this year as well as securing a facility for the parish, big things are continuing in St Mary cricket, he said.

The day’s proceedings were held in conjunction with the St Mary Health Department, who staged a health fair during which hundreds received free services from the professionals present.