Islandsun Newspaper - British Virgin Islands

January 3 2003

TOP SPORTS STORIES OF 2003
BVI sportsmen and women enjoyed another successful year in 2003.

Following is a sport by sport synopsis.

Basketball

President says Basketball ‘is almost non existent in the BVI’

BVI Amateur Basketball Federation president Elvis “Jughead” Harrigan says the sport is almost non existent in the territory. His federation has not organized a league since the season ended in August 2001, paving the way for the construction of a Multipurpose Sports Complex which began in September that same year and is still in progress. Over the last two years players have organized a summer hoops league, but the federation has done nothing with the sport. “From our point of view, nothing is happening. Basketball is almost nonexistent in the BVI,” Harrigan said. Ice Connection wins first Summer Jam League hoops title Ice Connection won its first Summer Jam Basketball League title on Virgin Gorda Jam Squad, trailing by 32 quit in frustration with 5:28 left in the first half. The game featured a battle between brothers William ‘Ice Willy’ Penn of Ice Connection and Franklyn ‘Rasta’ Penn of Jam Squad. But, it was Franklyn who lost his cool and threw the ball over the wall after disagreeing with a call. He then threw water on the court with his team railing 49-28 in the first half, ending play. The playoffs were plagued by vandals attempting to sabotage the league. Meanwhile, an angry player from the losing team, dissatisfied with the outcome of the deciding game of Summer Jam Basketball League ‘B’ division series, took the four feet championship trophy and smashed it to pieces before it could be presented to the winning team. Just before league officials were about to present the championship trophy to Cronics following a 77-74 victory, Pure Playaz’s Lyndon Chiverton walked over to the scorers area, took the trophy and smacked it on the concrete table several times, breaking it into pieces. He then picked up the pieces and threw them over the fence.

Baseball

Cougars hold off Chics for BVI’s inaugural girls’ softball title The Eileen Parsons Lady Cougars used a 10-run first inning then held off the CCT Boatphone Expo Chics for a 15-9 victory in the inaugural girls softball league, which was played in conjunction with the BVI Little League Baseball Association season. “They had me scared between the second and fifth innings but in the last inning, they came through for me with three big outs,” Lady Cougars manager Dean Simmonds said. “We aimed to score a lot of runs in the first inning and we did, because we knew the other team had last bat. We had to put them under pressure and it worked.”

Mariners only repeat champion

The Smith Ferries Mariners was the only repeat champion, following a 19-14 victory over the Insinger Athletics. They scored 15 runs between the second and third innings to claim the Coach Pitch division. The Sand Castle Red Sox upset league champs HWR Wildcats 8-4, after overcoming a 4-2 deficit. Jaquan Thomas fanned 12 in a pitching duel with Wildcats Carlos Maynard who also struck out 12.

BVI to host 2005 Caribbean Baseball Championships

Two BVI Little League Baseball officials returned from the 24th Latin American Little League Baseball Congress in Puerto Rico with the news that the BVI will host the 2005 Caribbean Little League Baseball Championships. “It was the first one that we have attended and there were delegates from 16 countries there,” said Simon Filmer, who attended the Congress with BVI Little League president Terry Chinnery. “We volunteered to host the Caribbean Region of the tournament in 2005 for 11-12 year olds and we were granted that right.”

Cricket

Cavaliers sweep Virgin Gorda for BVI Cricket Association title Cavaliers swept Virgin Gorda to win the BVI Cricket Association/Cable and Wireless best of three championship series 2-0 following a 109 run victory that came on the heels of a two wicket triumph. Cavaliers set Virgin Gorda a 184 target then bowled them out for a paltry 75.

Combined VI field 1st Under 19 team in Leewards tourney

Cricket in the Virgin Islands made history on July 12, when the Combined Virgin Islands debuted against host Nevis at Grove Park, in the Leeward Islands Cricket Association Under 19 tournament. The 16 man squad was comprised of eleven players from Tortola, four from St. Thomas and one from Virgin Gorda.

BVI fields team in Leeward Islands Masters Cricket tourney

The BVI Cricket Association fielded a 15 man squad for its first appearance in the Leeward Islands Masters Cricket Tournament in Antigua, May 24-25. “This is an opportunity to expose our cricketers 40 years and over, and there are many here who have played cricket over the years that would like to showcase themselves,” association president Theodore Skeete said. “This is their opportunity to go to Antigua, compete with the others, and they are preparing to make a good account of themselves.”

Cycling

BVI Cycling Federation receives ICU accreditation

Eight months after being accredited to the British Cycling Federation in 2002, the BVI Cycling Federation received the best news of its 10th anniversary season that it has gained its long sought accreditation with its governing body the International Cycling Union.

Andrew Young mounts comeback to win 10th Anniversary Tour de Tortola

Phillippe Leroy gained a 50 second advantage over the field after making a break away move in Steel Point in the BVI Cycling Federation 10th Anniversary Clarence Thomas Ltd. Tour de Tortola. But the move cost him the overall victory after beating Andrew Young first stage. Young mounted his comeback at the base of Windy Hill. By time he reached the summit 2 miles later, he held a one minute lead on Leroy. “I got a bit of a shock losing the time trial,” Young said. “I had to go home and think on how I’d outsmart Phillippe. I tried to go fast and wear him down on the way to West End and it paid off. He went hard through Steel Point. I caught him going up Windy Hill as he faded a bit. From there on, it was trying to get to the finish as fast as possible.”

BVI places two in Caribbean Cycling Championships top 20

BVI national cycling champion Phillipe Leroy was 16th and Conrad Emmanuel 20th overall in the 2003 Caribbean Cycling Championships Road Race in St. Vincent. Cramps kept Neil Thomas from finishing less than four miles from the end as only 24 of the 75 entrants completed the course. “We did very well under the circumstances,” Federation president David Thomas said. “It was one of the hardest races that our guys have ever done” The BVI will host the 2006 championships.

Bermuda’s Chris Hedges wins Jason Bally Memorial 100K in sprint finish

Bermuda’s Chris Hedges out sprinted St. Martin’s Nipau Serge to win the Jason Bally Memorial 100K, ending Guyana’s two time defending champion Godfrey Pollydore’s winning streak. St. Croix’s Sue Brown defended her woman’s crown. “It was by far the biggest race we’ve ever had and the level of competition we had was incredible,” cycling Federation president David Thomas said of the 75 participants. “The guys we had here were just a step above any body we’ve raced before.”

Tennis

Howse beats St. John’s Lewis for third straight BVI Open tennis title St. John’s George Lewis succumbed to leg cramps and retired in the second set, giving Florida’s Fitzroy Howse a 3-peat triumph in the BVI Open Tennis tournament, while Denise Fernandez took the women’s crown from former champ Musonda Poole. Anslem, Dalton wins BVI Closed Tennis titles

Second seeded Dion Anslem overpowered surprise finalist Ken Adamson—who ousted top seeded Percy Rhoden—6-1, 6-2 for his first BVI Closed Tennis Championships men’s title, while new comer Ruth Dalton beat Heather Chapman 6-1 and 6-2. “It was a great game and I played my best Tennis,” Anslem a former BVI Open B singles champ said.

Track and Field

Althea Scatliffe and Ivan Dawson crowned Inter Primary champs

Althea Scatliffe and Ivan Dawson were crowned the A and B division champions of the 2003 Inter Primary Schools Athletic Championships with 335 points and 298 respectively.

Eric Mathias shatters Carifta Games Discus record to claim gold

Eric Matthias secured the first record of the 32nd Carifta Games in Trinidad when he won the Boys Under-20 Discus with an outstanding 55.20 meters (181’¾”) throw at the Hasley Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain. Matthias added the CARIFTA crown to last year’s CAC Junior title, while topping Dwayne Henclewood's three-year-old mark of 50.41 meters, (165’4 ¼”) by a whopping 4.79 meters (15’8 ½”). Mathias went on to win Jr. College All America honors at Central Arizona College.

BVI’s Dione Blyden wins gold medal at CAC Age Group Championships

The BVI’s Dione Blyden captured the gold medal in the 10-11 division at the Central American and Caribbean Age Group Championships in Puerto Rico in July. Blyden’s victory and teammate Jovante Croal’s 12th place finish gave them second overall. That coupled with Kanishque Todman’s 4th and Brittney Wattley’s 8th gave the BVI the team bronze in the 10-11 division. Blyden amassed 2550 points and Croal 2211. Todman finished with 2218 points and Wattley 2072.

International Athletics Federation honors BVI’s Rey O’Neal in Paris ceremony

BVI Amateur Athletics Association president Rey O’Neal was among three persons from the Central American and Caribbean region honored by the International Association of Athletics Federations during a ceremony in Paris, ahead of the 2003 World Athletics Championships. O’Neal who helped formed the BVIAAA in 1970 and guided its membership in the IAAF in 1972, has been president since 1978. O’Neal joins Aruba’s Harry Jansen and Cuba’s Lazaro Batencourt as the regions honorees who will receive the IAAF veterans pin. “It does show that your efforts have been recognized by your colleagues and counterparts in the other countries in the region. I think it’s not only an honor for me, but it’s an honor for the system we’ve tried to develop here in the British Virgin Islands,” O’Neal said.

O’Neal steps down after 23 years at the BVI Amateur Athletic Association helm A founding member of the BVI Amateur Athletic Association stepped down as president after 23 years at the helm, ending the longest tenure as head of a sporting organization in the British Virgin Islands.

Volleyball

Volleyball players reject president while candidate protest new elections On January 31, Volleyball players pulled the plug on Karl ‘Dub’ Scatliffe’s presidency, by nominating Roy Barry and Stephen Payne for the post of president. Barry who was absent from the February 8 voting because of work commitments secured a one-point 22-21 victory over Payne for the presidency. “The elections were a sham,” Payne said before later launching a protest. “Personally, I have no problem if he was here and won, I would have gracefully conceded. But, as a result of tonight’s actions, I somewhat feel that we took the wrong route.

Terminator and Raw Power II win BVI Volleyball titles

Terminators needed four sets to overhaul Young Guns, while Raw Power II swept the Chixs, as they won the BVI Volleyball Association men’s and women’s championships. BVI overpowers St. Kitts to win first OECS women’s Volleyball championship The BVI overpowered St. Kitts for a straight set victory to win its first Organization of Eastern Caribbean States women’s Volleyball Championships at the tournament held in Antigua. The BVI capped an unbeaten tournament run with a 25-21, 25-23 and 25-21 victory. “It shows that hard works pays off,” association president Roy Barry said. “We have been attending this tournament for some time and the closest we came was a silver medal, but that was some years back. With dedication and hard work they won a gold medal. Judging from a tournament in St. Thomas in late August, the team’s level of play has really improved. After that, I thought that the chances of winning gold at this OECS tournament would have been excellent.

Football

Cedar beats Willard Wheatley for Primary Schools Soccer title

The Trident Trust Cedar School Sharks scored two goals in the closing minutes for a come from behind 3-2 victory over the Amicorp Willard Wheatley Wolves, in the inaugural BVI Football Association Primary Schools Soccer tournament. “I think this game was a great culmination to the program,” coordinator Roger Carter said. “The final was a fantastic game, 3-2, two goals in the last minute, a great comeback. It really showed the skills they have been learning over the last two months. But, it was a great game between the two strongest schools on the island.

Future Stars dominate Old Madrid for BVI Football Association knockout title Future Stars dominated Old Madrid during a convincing 5-2 victory to win the BVI Football Association Soccer knockout title. Weather and scheduling conflicts prevented both teams from meeting during the regular season. “We couldn’t have wished for a better night than this. The score, the performance, the resistance that we got from the team, I think everything was just in our favor and the guys lived up to the challenge,” Future Stars coach Raymond Charles said. “When we scored first, I think that just gave the guys an extra boost because scoring early meant that we could just look at going forward. The other team had two tasks—one to catch us the other to pass us. We just kept looking at goals and pounding it to them.

Softball

BVI Softball President says managers not serious about elections Two attempts at nominating a new BVI Amateur Softball Association executive body failed within five days, in March after team managers did not have a quorum at either meeting.

Top teams a no show as BVI Softball Association season opens After forfeitures plagued the opening of the BVI Amateur Softball Association league, the league opened without defending champions Pirates and runners up Latinos and the women’s division runners up Hawks. “It’s the first time we’ve had three teams that competed in the championship series not coming back for the following season,” association president Walwyn ‘GM’ Brewley noted.

Astros Allen Smith fires only no-hitter of BVI softball season

On Friday, May 23, Astros pitcher Allen ‘Woodrow’ Smith fanned the first nine batters he faced en route to firing the only no-hitter of the BVI Amateur Softball Association season in a 7-1 victory over the Braves. Smith, who fanned 13, saw his chances for a shutout and perfect game ruined when the Braves scored on a error, pass ball and wild pitch in the fourth inning.

Blue Wings win 9th BVI Softball Association championship

The Blue Wings capitalized on first and second inning errors to beat the Byrds 6-2 for their record ninth BVI Amateur Softball Association championship. Quails sweep defending champs Lady Braves for first softball title The Quails swept defending champions Lady Braves with a 15-10 for their first BVI Amateur Softball Association title as they went through the season unbeaten. “Our strategy was to go out there, play as well as we could and field as well as we could. They came with the intention to play me,” winning Adina Nibbs explained. “Their mistake was not coming to play the Quails.”

Women’s softball team second in St. Croix tourney

A women’s All Stars Softball team finished second in the Croixettes Invitational tournament on St. Croix, picking up their first tournament victories in three years. Team BVI beat New York 12-8 in the opener before a 16-0 loss to eventual champs and hosts Croixettes. They beat New York again 13-4, before losing the finale to the Croixettes 4-1.

Brewley calls it quits after 22 years at BVI Softball Association helm

Just before the final out was recorded in the championship game between the Blue Wings and Byrds, BVI Amateur Softball Association president Walwyn ‘GM’ Brewley who had been scoring and calling the game, announced that he was stepping down. “This is the final championship game under my presidency,” Brewley who has been at the helm since 1981 said, then repeated it as the Blue Wings with whom he played during his career celebrated their ninth championship. “I’m stepping down effective now,” he stated later. “We will have an election to make it official, but I won’t be back next year as president.”

I’ve been here for over 20 odd years and I think you have to know when to say when. I think my time has come. Like a bridge over troubled waters, I shall lay me down.” Neville ‘Sheep’ Smith was elected the new president on October 30.