The Social Development Commission’s National Twenty/20 Community Cricket Competition closed its curtains with St. Catherine’s Old Harbour swiping the title of National champion and a cash prize of $750,000 from St. Ann’s Content Gardens in the final match at Alpart Sports Club in St. Elizabeth.
Old Harbour who went in to bat first struggled to keep momentum as Content Gardens fired away knocking out even West Indies test and one day all rounder Andre Russell in the first half of the game. Russell was able to make just six from 18 balls a disappointing display for the national player. Several Old Harbour team mates also met the same fate as the day progressed.
Content Garden Fans were overjoyed as they were confident that they would win the competition in fine style. But that quickly change as Old Harbour in reply became aggressive as they were not deterred by their poor performance in the first half of the match. At the end of the match Old Harbour won in a convincing victory making 122 of 18.5 overs while Content Gardens made 72 all out of 17.3 overs.
The second and third place playoff between Waltham PYC from Kingston and St. Andrew and Racecourse from Clarendon was also an exciting meeting which had spectators entertained for the first match. Waltham PYC walked away pleased with their performance making 100 all out of 20 overs while in reply Raceourse made 89 all out of 18.5 overs.
SDC board Chairman Mr. Lloyd Pommells, “I am very pleased with how the overall competition as progressed and crowd support for all the teams that are playing here today have been phenomenal.” “Next year as the country celebrates it 50 year of independence there are plans to increase the cash prizes to commemorate this spectacular event.”
Acting Executive Director of SDC Mr. Dwayne Vernon says, “I am very proud that the competition continues to generate buzz not only in the community but in the wider public.” “The SDC National Twenty/20 has come a far way in the last five years and we at the Commission will ensure that our national mandate of Building communities…..Building a better Jamaica is achieved as we use sports to attract the general populace.”
Meanwhile the Social Development Commission National Cricket Presentation Ceremony will be held on November 3, 2011 where the top four teams: Old Harbour, Content Gardens, Waltham PYC and Racecourse will officially be handed over their cash prizes.The cash prizes for this year’s competition has been significantly boosted with the champion receiving $750,000.00, $400,000.00 for the runners-up $200,000.00 for third-place and $100,000 for fourth place.
The presentation ceremony will also salute the sponsors of the competition who have continued to show support for the competition that unearth and exposes the talents in communities’ islandwide. The major sponsors were:Lasco Remittance agents of Moneygram, Juici Patties, Singer Jamaica Limited, Gas Pro, Logo Stitch, TVJ SN, Hitz 92 FM, Gleaner Company Limited, The STAR, the Planning Institute of Jamaica and Irie Fm.