Ferguson, Rose Hall and Mayfield open Tampa all-island primary cricket league with wins

Ferguson, Rose Hall and Mayfield Primary Schools opened the inaugural Tropical Blue Spring Water Tampa Primary Cricket League All Island Primary Schools competition with victories over the weekend in Manchester.

At Media High School in Mandeville, Ferguson Primary — appearing in a cricket tournament for the first time — edged Fairfield Primary in a tight contest. Batting first, Ferguson posted 132 for eight from the allotted 30 overs. Kyle Folks led the scoring with 25, while Nathan Lilly took four wickets for 30. Fairfield replied with 131 from 30 overs, falling short by a single run.

At the Bowls Oval on the Manchester Central border, Rose Hall defeated Morning Side Primary in a 20-overs-a-side fixture. Morning Side batted first and were dismissed for 70. Rose Hall answered with 79 for four.

In another match, Mayfield Primary compiled 117 for six, then held Brinkley Primary to eight runs for seven wickets from 20 overs.

Fairfield Primary principal Collette McLean Harding and Ferguson Primary principal Zonette Smith said the competition benefits pupils beyond the field. They noted that cricket exposes children to broader development, including social skills and discipline, and pointed to pupils dining with knives and forks at lunch as a mark of that rounded growth. One principal described cricket as a gentleman’s game and said the school was pleased with how the tournament supports that ethos.

Play continues this Saturday.