A very competitive and skillfull Virgin Gorda Girls team pushed Tortola to the limit before losing 6-5 in the bottom of the 5th inning during Saturday's Sister Island Softball Tournament. Photo credit: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Jost Van Dyke's, Hailiah Morris was one of many standout players seen in action for the first time during the tournament. Photo credit: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The big guns of Tortola stayed unbeaten during the day, but they have to watch carefully as the other Islands are coming up fast and will be looking to knock them off top spot. Photo credit: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The exciting climax to the day's matches, which also included teams from Jost Van Dyke and Anegada, was more than fitting as all the teams had shown a competitive edge, despite for some, it being their first competitive games.

Tortola are the most experienced of the teams, having the facilities, regular Coaching and equipment to hone their skills, but as organizer Terry Chinnery commented, there is now a much bigger pool of talent from which to select teams to represent the BVI in tournaments.

“There are a lot of players I haven’t seen before,” he said “usually it comes down to who is available and teams pick themselves, but now there will be competition for places and that can only be good for the game.”

Jost Van Dyke struggled to come to terms early on suffering a 15-4 defeat to Tortola and a 14-3 defeat to VG, but then bounced back to beat Anegada 12-5 and new Coach Randolph George was happy with the progress “the girls did pretty well after they settled down. At first they were a little shocked, but they have learnt a lot from seeing different opposition, but once they scored some runs and settled down they did very well and I’m proud of them.”

Coach George, who has just returned from the States, admitted it was very different coaching a girl’s team, but with the help of Terry Chinnery has plans on developing the sport further on JVD. “It’s my first time coaching girls and it’s interesting," he noted “the girls were reluctant at first and had some attitude, but they are turning round and getting more positive. Attitude really affects your play and after today they understand more about what is needed to play this game.”

Whilst saying all his girls had played well he picked out Hailiah Morris, Kathy Blyden and Jada George and he also said that although the other Islands were a notch above JVD , the gap is not that wide and he intends to make sure JVD, in time, will be the top team.

Virgin Gorda, as expected, had proved very competitive throughout the mini tournament with a 13-8 win over Anegada, the defeat of JVD and then the pulsating match up with Tortola, which had seen the hosts pushed all the way before finally being able to secure the narrowest of victory margins.

Asst Coach of VG, Elian O’Neal thought his team had played well and picked out a few players for special mention “Jasnique Frederick is our most advanced player, Tia Modeste played well, and Kelienne Smith was our pitcher throughout and was really good and of course Ebony Fahie.”

“Reds” Telemaque noted that some of his players had picked up a bat and ball for the first time just the day before “we fight, VG always fight to the end and today the girls showed that,” he commented “we lost one of our better defensive players in Makeda Fahie to an ankle injury. Shaniyah Caul picked up a bat for the first time in a proper game and probably went 4 for 5 today, but they were all stars. VG is mutely talented in any sport, we can pick anyone and they will be competitive.”

Anegada had also battled all day and although they went home without a win had shown great skills throughout the day and were able to push Tortola all the way before suffering a 6-3 defeat in the final game.

Daynara Rojas pitched with skill and accuracy and got good support from Sylvana Watts, Kyesha Smith and Shakaya White, but the whole team showed skill levels that belied their lack of opportunity.

At no time were they over awed by what was initially more illustrious counterparts, but now friends.

In fact not only has Softball got a whole lot of new players, but also a group of girls that have great potential and desire to play the game.

The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, along with Chinnery and the other coaches, have definitely got their hands full as they try to get them what they need in terms of practice, games and equipment, but judging by the reactions to the day from everyone there, it will be work that is gratefully accepted.