BVICA President, Mr. Shan Mohammed (left) recieves the Sponsorship cheque from Scotiabank's Small Business Manager, Mr. Andy Davis. Photo: BVICA

Ian Sampson gained some valuable experience as part of the Police Teams initiative to involve youngsters in the game when batting with Kevin Joseph during Monday's loss to the Cavaliers. Photo: BVICA

Dorian Auguiste, driving through the covers, steered the Cavaliers home with an unbeaten 32. Photo: BVICA

At a ceremony held at the Bank’s main branch on Wickham’s Cay, Small Business Manager, Andy Davis presented a cheque for $4,000 to President of the Association Shan Mohamed and noted that, “Scotia Bank is committed to West Indies cricket, not only at the regional level, but also in the individual countries where players develop their game in anticipation of being selected at a higher level.”

The tournament began on June 3, and the next weekend (July 8, 2012) will see the semi-finals taking place at the Virgin Gorda Recreation Ground when the Cavaliers face Virgin Gorda and the Vincy C.C. will play the Vikings for a place in the Final on Sunday July 15.

In the last round of Group play matches, the Cavaliers easily took care of a revamped Police team who are looking to the future by bringing onboard several youngsters from the WICB/Digicel Grassroots Programme.

Although it has resulted in two heavy defeats the plan should be applauded and welcomed by the cricketing fraternity as a very positive step towards developing the game as a whole.

Ian Sampson, Kadesh Talle and Elvette Dore all played as well as Brandon Kartik, Andre Kartik, Aiden George and Dante Liburd getting a taste of Senior Cricket.

The Police won the toss and batted first reaching 89 all out from their 20 overs. Kevin Joseph top scored with 37 and Curwin Carter added 21 for the Police who were undone by Jagnarine Persaud’s four wicket haul and Vishal Bharat’s 3 for 6. In reply, Teddy Nankishore fell to Ricardo Noel without scoring before Keith Semple and Dorian Auguiste steered the Cavaliers to the win. Semple fell to Talle, caught Dore for 20, but Auguiste remained unbeaten on 32 and Bharat scored a comfortable 21 not out to secure victory.

Virgin Gorda batted first having won the toss and rattled up 170 all out in 19.1 overs led by Dennis Allister’s 58. Jeffrey Demming added 17 and Derrol Redhead 15. For the Jamaicans Winston Davis took 3 for 22 off 3.1 overs, Rohan Sweeney 3 for 30 off 3 overs, Michael Deane 2 for 32 off 4 overs. In reply though Virgin Gorda bowled tightly throughout the innings and restricted their opponents to just 129 for 9. Fitzroy Daley top scored with 31, Sweeney hitting 26 not out, and Michael Deane 12 not out at the close. Jineuck Mingo took 3 for 17 off 4 overs, Rodney Modeste 1 for 9 off 3 overs and Joel Williams 1 for 12 off 3 overs for Virgin Gorda.

In thanking Scotiabank for their Sponsorship Mr. Mohamed described it, “as a timely contribution toward cricket in the BVI, saying there are many challenges associated with developing the sport in the absence of a proper venue.” He also went on to conclude. “We know that Scotiabank is no stranger to cricket, having been a major sponsor of the Kiddy Cricket in the region for several years. We at the Association are happy that this commitment in the BVI has been extended to senior cricket and we look forward to a continuing partnership with Scotia in the years to come.”

Scotiabank has been a regional sponsor of West Indies cricket for the past 13 years and has the status as “Official Bank of the West Indies Team” and “Exclusive Sponsor of Kiddy Cricket” in 14 Caribbean territories.