BELIZE CITY, Wed. June 10, 2015–The Harrison Parks Cricket Competition 2015, under the auspices of the Belize National Cricket Association, continued over the weekend with some very interesting games. The first is the continuation of a game between Excellence of Double Head and Western Eagles of Rancho Dolores. In a previous article that I wrote, I mentioned that a team that has always been hard for the Eagles to beat is Excellence. This match started on March 14 in Double Head. Western Eagles batted first, and at the fall of the last wicket, scored 157 runs. After lunch break, Excellence took to bat. During the over, Eagles bowled a ball that was called “wide” by the umpire. The ball crossed the boundary line for 4 runs; because it was a “wide,” an extra run was awarded, making it 5 runs. Rain started then, and the game had to be postponed.

Ever since then, for some reason or the other, this match could not continue. The most important reason is that the game was started playing on a mat. That mat became damaged beyond repair, according to information I received. Later on, only half of the mat could be found. The second half of the competition was started, and on May 9, Excellence went to Rancho and defeated Western Eagles. Still, the unfinished game was not played.

Because of a game played between Excellence and Police, which Police won by average, Excellence decided to stop playing. After a week or so, they decided to come back into the competition.  I said then, it has become very interesting.

After a back and forth thing, both teams decided that the game would be played on June 6, last Saturday. Well, after some discussion, Excellence said, well, take the game and move on. That made Western Eagles gain a spot in the playoffs at 3rd place in Zone One.

Then, in Flowers Bank, Brilliant traveled there to play a backmatch against the home team. Brilliant batted first and scored 152. In that inning, Glenroy Reynolds scored 24 runs. Then it was time for Wicked 11 to try and cover that score. Well, the home team tried their best; but, with the stiff bowling of Rodwell Conorque, who took 5 wkts, all were out for 113. Winston Flowers top scored for the home team with 38 runs.

On Sunday, Sunrise traveled to Crooked Tree to continue an unfinished game against the home team, Brilliant. Brilliant had already batted, and had scored 84 runs. When the game started on Sunday, Garrett Joseph and Zaggi were batting. I must mention that before the game was postponed, Sunrise had already taken to bat and had lost a wicket. To continue, Garrett and Zaggi played excellent. When Zaggi was given an LBW, just a few more runs were needed. The next batsman came in, and in no time the game was finished. Sunrise batted 87. For Brilliant, Calbert Reynolds scored 19 runs; while Zaggi, Edison Parks and Garrett Joseph took 3 wickets each for Sunrise. For Sunrise batting, Garrett Joseph scored 44 runs, while Jermaine Smith and Ravin Gillett took 1 wicket each for the home team.

Now, in Bermudian Landing a tie-breaker game was being played between Easy Does It and Police. Both teams had lost 2 games and were tied for first place in Zone One. Both teams had beaten each other once, while Western Eagles had beaten both teams once too. Easy Does It batted first and scored a massive amount of 317 runs. Warren Anthony scored 50 runs for the Easy boys, while Walton Banner and Joseph Pook took 2 wickets each for Police. Police took to bat then, either to average the score or beat it. However, with the strong and consistent bowling of Warren Anthony, who took 4 wickets, Police were all out for 143 runs. Walton Banner top scored with 62 runs.

With that, the regular season came to a close. For the playoffs, the following teams gained spots: In Zone One – Easy Does It, first place; Police, second; and Western Eagles, third. In Zone Two – Wicked 11, first; Sunrise, second; and Brilliant, third.

My unconditional and sincere congratulations to all six teams that had played their hearts out to reach this far! I personally wish them the best going forward. To those that did not make it to the top spots, you are being congratulated too. Your positive input played an important role in the competition. Special mention goes to team Cashu Medicos, Bright Star, Excelsior and Suga Boys. Hats off to you all for a season well played. Better luck next year.

The playoff starts this Saturday, if weather permits. For the two first place winners, they will rest until the second and third place finishers play. So, in Crooked Tree, Police goes there to play home team, Brilliant. Western Eagles goes to Lords Bank against home team, Sunrise.

Play professional, guys. Continue to respect your fellow men. Luck till next week.