Lodge School Wins Under-15 Title By 29 Runs

For the third time in its long and stellar cricketing history, Nature Valley Lodge School hoisted the LIME Schools Under-15 trophy, after defeating Garrison Secondary by 29 runs at the BET Ground yesterday afternoon.

After resuming from their overnight score of 168-9, Lodge was eventually dismissed for 174, leaving Garrison to make 189 for victory. Garrison, however faltered during their run chase, falling 29 runs short of the target on 160 all out.

Lodge School coach Clifton Philips praised his players for holding their nerve and never faltering under pressure, especially after they were dismissed for just 106 in their first innings.

“When you are coming into the final day there is always pressure. But I believe most of that pressure is the one you put on yourself. I thought that once they managed to get up to 189, I thought that we could get home. But obviously Garrison, this being their first time in the final they wanted it very much, so we knew we would have to fight,” said Philips.

Philips, who has coached Lodge School for the past 19 years, noted that while they did not play Garrison in any of their preliminary games, he asked the guys to remain focused and to not underestimate their opponents.

“I asked them to focus and stick close to the basics, don’t go to far away from them; keep focused on the job on hand and to take each moment as they go and work from there” said Philips.

A visibly upset Garrison coach Elvis Howard, lauded his players for not only making it to the final but for also playing with grit and determination during the three days of competition.

“I told the guys from the outset that we are not only going to the final. We want the record to also show that we played very well in the final. I am so happy for my boys, obviously we are a bit disappointed that we didn’t win, but the fighting spirit showed today by my school was tremendous and I think the boys will be happy with the way they fought today,” said Howard.

Howard praised the Lodge School on their victory, but admitted his team let the game get away from them, after having their opponents on the back foot.

“After having Lodge on 126 for nine, we lost the plot in the last 45 minutes of the game and it really showed, because I thought that with 126 for nine the most we would be looking to chase is 150. And it came back to haunt us, those 28 runs that we lost by,” said Howard. (PH)