By Anthony Foster, Freelance WriterTHE CORPORATE Area Grace Kennedy-sponsored 2003 schoolboys cricket season bowls off today with the playing of three matches in the Grace Shield Premier League at 10:00 a.m.
Kingston College (KC) travel to Heroes Circle to play Wolmer's, Jonathan Grant host St. George's College at Lime Tree Oval and St. Andrew Technical (STATHS) entertain Waterford at Bumper Hall.
This year's Under-19 urban cricket competitions (Grace Shield, Premier League and George & Branday, 'A' League) are funded by a sponsorship package of $2.5 million, up from the $2.1 million last year. It was also disclosed by Chief Operating Officer, Don Wehby, that incentive awards of $25,000 each will be given to the top four schools in the Grace Shield to assist with the development of their cricket programme.
The Premier League will be contested by 14 teams in two groups. In Group B are defending champions St. Jago, St. Catherine, Trench Town, Tivoli, Bridgeport, last year's 'A' league champions Spanish Town and Excelsior battle for Group B honours.
In Group A, Kingston College (KC), Wolmer's, St. Andrew Technical (STATHS), St. George's College, last year's A League beaten finalists Calabar, Waterford and Jonathan Grant.
The bottom two teams from the Premier League will be demoted to the 'A' League next season, while the top two 'A' League teams will automatically move on to the semi-final stages of the Grace Shield and gain promotion to the Premier League next year.
Waterford have only retained four players from last season in Jamaica Under-19 wicketkeeper/batsman Junior Stewart, Mark Kidd, Marlon Hoillett and Marlon Scott. Despite that, coach Courtney Elliott believes his team has a very good chance this season.
STATHS, who were champions in 1969 have also retained four players from last year's team - batsmen Dennalo Pellington, Richard Graham, Kevin Dennis along with fast bowler Donovan Hewitt. Had it not been for the increase in the number of Premier League teams, STATHS would not be involved at this level as they finished at the bottom is last season's competition.
Having retained 75 per cent of last year's squad, Wolmer's coach Damion Brown believes his young team will be competitive this season. The team, according to Brown, will be depending heavily on Christopher Hinds, Mario Lee and Conrad Satchell to get their runs, while, if former KC all-rounder Nicholas Brown who captains the team, Andrew Fraser in concert with pacers Sheldon Grant and Stephen-Paul Bartlett should take care of the wickets.
Kingston College's assistant coach Noel Channer is expecting his team to give a good account of themselves this season beginning today. The memory of not making the semi-final last year - the first in 18 years - is still fresh in his mind.
In today's team KC will be represented by former Jamaica Under-15 players Christopher McLean and Jamie Trenchfield as well as former West Indies youth development representative Andre Hall. They will be backed-up by the experienced fastbowling twins Roy and Roderick Williams, spinners Marlon Perry, Nicholas Morrison and Brian Latore.
