Trudy Williams, (right) of sponsor Nestlé Jamaica Limited hands over the championship trophy to the winning St Elizabeth Under-15 All-Stars captain, Bryan Gayle, after a Milo Challenge Cup match against Portmore Under-15 All Stars at the Uprising cricket ground, Bull Savannah, St Elizabeth, on Sunday. St Elizabeth Under-15 All Stars won the match by 86 runs. - Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer
A South East St Elizabeth Under-15 All-Stars outfit claimed the inaugural Milo Challenge Cup after defeating a Portmore Under-15 All-Stars team by 86 runs, at Uprising cricket ground in Bull Savannah, St Elizabeth, on Sunday.
The 'St Bess' youths won the toss and slammed a massive 301-8 off their allotted 30 overs. Man-of-the-match Simon Barnes, a national youth invitee, hit an unbeaten 83 from 30 balls. His innings included seven sixes and seven fours.
Barnes got good support from Jamel Sinclair who made 50 off 38 balls. Captain and national Under-15 player, Bryan Gayle, chipped in with 31. Rae Roberts led the Portmore bowling attack with 2-36 off four overs.
Portmore made a solid start, putting on 41 for the opening wicket and, at one point, were well poised at 150-2. However, quick wickets by the St Bess youths turned the game. Portmore were dismissed for 215 off in 28.4 overs. They lost their last eight wickets for 65 runs as Ryan Scott topscored with 54. Delbert Gayle, a former national Under-15 captain, made 45 and Malcolm Whyte scored 25 not out.
At the end of the match Trudy Williams of the sponsor, Nestlé Jamaica Limited, handed over the championship trophy to the winning St Elizabeth team. Member of parliament for the area, Franklyn Whitter, bowled the first ball of the match signalling the start of proceedings.