WI local: Title a tribute to police's fighting spirit

Police have begun carving a dynasty in Second Division cricket.

For the second time in three years the lawmen have captured the title, having won it in 1998. Last year they were knocked out in the semifinal by St. Lucy-based Lord's.

However, this year's feat might be the sweetest for the law enforcers as they showed tremendous fighting spirit. Despite forfeiting two games early in the season after a number of policemen took ill, the lawmen came roaring back to win their zone and enter the play-off round.

Both manager Lester Harris and captain Vincent Bradshaw attributed it to good all-round team performance.

"We have a very close-knit team," said Harris, who has been the manager for the last three seasons.

Neither had any doubts about reaching the final after forfeiting the two games.

"Although we forfeited the two games there were only two teams who were leading us. One was leading by three points and the other by one point. After we forfeited the games I think the fellows came together, and it showed the indomitable spirit of this Police team where you can come from behind and fight, and you expect to win," Bradshaw said.

Harris said that after the first four matches they were leading their zone with 32 points before some of the players went on leave and the team was forced to relinquish the points in two games.

"Then we came back and won the last four or five matches and got back in front all of the other teams that were in the zone to qualify for the finals.

"When we started back the guys were all eager and willing to go and we decided that we would think about first innings points and see what happened from there," Harris added.

One of the innovations he brought to the team when he joined three years ago was a system of fines for lateness and dropping catches.

"If you come late on Saturday each player pays $5, and as the manager I pay $10. If you drop a catch on Saturdays you pay $2."

For the final against Parish Land late players paid $10 and the manager $20, while any fielder dropping a catch was fined $5.

The money is pooled and at the end of the season a party is held for the players.

This type of bonding has helped to bring the team closer and it wasn't surprising Bradshaw said the outstanding performer wasn't an individual but the collective team.

This was echoed in a separate interview by Harris, who added that the team had been together for the last three years, along with scorer Leslie Prescod who has been with them for a decade.

"Most of the fellows have been playing Second Division cricket for a long time. Along with that, there is this team spirit that we've got which I've not seen in any other team," Bradshaw said after securing the cup.

Harris noted that Dave Springer was the leading bowler with over 60 wickets, and he was closely followed by David Forde, who collected more than 50 scalps.

"I don't think anybody in our team got 400 runs. It's just team spirit and the will to win," Bradshaw pointed out. In addition to team spirit, the captain praised the supporters who turned up on Saturdays and cheered them on or offered advice from the sidelines.

"I should apologise to the other teams in that we've been playing unfair cricket for the last three years - where teams have come with 11 or 13 men, we come to play cricket with 25 people.

"We've got some staunch supporters who have been there for us, and you can't discount how important it is to have spectators."