Marc Stamp, Star Writer

Manchester easily defeated St Ann by six wickets to capture the Kingston Wharves Under-15 50 overs cricket competition in the final at Sabina Park yesterday.

Batting first after winning the toss, St Ann made 109 all out in 39.4 overs with Shemar Smith hitting a top-score of 23 while Rasheed Richards made 22. For Manchester Kevon Hanniford grabbed 3 for 12 off nine overs and Roshane Allen took 3 for 24 off the allotted ten overs.

In response, Manchester cruised to 110 for four with Javari Francis getting an unbeaten 37 and Roshane Allen 28. St Ann's captain Shemar Smith captured 2 for 29 off 10 overs.

Allen won the man of the match award for his all-round performance. Smith was voted the MVP for St Ann, while Francis won the award for Manchester.

"Well, I think it was a fairly competitive game. I didn't think 109 was enough to beat us as we've made over 150 runs consistently during the competition," Patrick Reid, manager of Manchester said.

"Our captain Javari Francis has led from the front in the competition with bat and ball. He has been a tower of strength for the team," Reid shared.

Orville Pennant, coach of St Ann, said it was difficult to defend 109 runs so they needed to bowl out their opponents.

"In the meeting between innings, we talked about bowling out Manchester but it didn't happen. We took four wickets and had six dropped catches," Pennant said.

"The team, however, did a very good job overall. I think they are a very good bunch," the former Jamaica cricket representative added.