‘A cut above’
Wolmer’s Boys’ Head Coach Jerraine Williams says his players showed their class in the six-wicket victory over Excelsior High in the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association all-island Twenty20 (T20) cricket final at Sabina Park on Saturday.
After Excelsior were restricted to 149-6 off their allotted 20 overs, Wolmer’s, who defeated St Elizabeth Technical to claim the schoolboy T20 crown last season, reached 150-4 with two overs and a ball to spare to retain the title.
Excelsior Captain Michael Clarke thrashed an unbeaten 79 not out to power his team’s innings, but Jordan Johnson’s unbeaten 37 ensured Wolmer’s, also the urban area Grace Shield champions, cruised to the finish.
Scores: Excelsior High 149-6 (20 overs); Wolmer’s Boys’ 150-4 (17.5 overs)
“It was a good game, but I think Wolmer’s are a cut above Excelsior,” Williams told the Jamaica Observer during a post-match interview.
“It was good to see Jordan Johnson turn up and display the kind of batting that we expect of him.”
The Wolmer’s coach, while suggesting his team was always in control, praised Clarke for his brilliant knock.
“I wasn’t too disappointed because I think Michael Clarke is in good nick, and you can’t take that away from a player, I think he played well,” he explained.
Excelisor Head Coach Kirkland Bailey was encouraged by his team’s display but felt some players were overwhelmed by the occasion.
“I’m proud of how the guys executed on the day. To get a total of 149, we thought we had a chance, which we did, but we made some critical errors with the ball and nerves got the better of some of the players,” he said.