Smyth Street Strikers retain MoE Interdepartmental Cricket Crown
Written by EDYOU FM Staff on September 30, 2026
Smyth Street Strikers returned to the crease with a title to defend, and by the end of the day, the crown remained firmly in their hands.
The inaugural champions of the Ministry of Education’s Interdepartmental Tapeball T10 Cricket Competition successfully defended their title on Friday, September 25, defeating 21 Warriors by eight wickets in the final at the Queen’s College Ground.
The tournament, organised by the Ministry of Education’s Unit of Allied Arts as part of Education Month activities, marked the return of the interdepartmental competition after it was not held in 2025 due to the General and Regional Elections.
Six teams stepped onto the field this year, with 21 Warriors, DEU Warriors, 26 Brickdam, NCERD Titans, The Invincibles UAA/Exams and defending champions Smyth Street Strikers all looking to make their mark.
Under an overcast sky and with conditions suited for cricket, the teams battled throughout the day, with the level of preparation becoming evident as the competition progressed.
Smyth Street Strikers immediately showed why they entered the tournament as champions. In their opening match, they produced a dominant 165-run victory over NCERD Titans, with E. Anthony earning Player of the Match honours.
Meanwhile, 21 Warriors began their campaign with a 33-run victory over DEU Warriors, led by Player of the Match Kristan Reid. The Invincibles UAA/Exams advanced by walkover against 26 Brickdam before facing 21 Warriors in the semi-final.
There, 21 Warriors continued their charge, defeating The Invincibles UAA/Exams by nine wickets, with Imran Mohamed named Player of the Match.
That set the stage for a final between 21 Warriors and the defending champions.
With the championship on the line, 21 Warriors posted 62 runs, leaving Smyth Street Strikers with a modest but important target to secure their second title.
The defending champions remained composed in the chase, reaching the required total and sealing an eight-wicket victory.
Chris Nelson was named Player of the Match for his contribution to the championship-winning performance, as Smyth Street Strikers once again walked away with the trophy.
Their success was also reflected in the individual awards. Smyth Street players collected several major honours, with Javon Cush recording the tournament’s highest individual score of 85 runs, while Aliasha Lambert finished with the most wickets at five.
Teriq David claimed the award for most catches with two, while Tohari Canerberry was recognised as the best wicketkeeper after recording two catches and two stumpings.
Kristan Reid of 21 Warriors finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 105 runs, while Ciara Gildharie of 21 Warriors was recognised as the Best Female Player.
At the end of the competition, Smyth Street Strikers stood at the top, followed by 21 Warriors as runners-up and The Invincibles UAA/Exams in third place.
Beyond the results, the competition provided Ministry staff with an opportunity to step away from their usual duties and come together through sport. The tournament promoted teamwork, camaraderie, sportsmanship and healthy competition while supporting the Ministry’s continued emphasis on wellness and physical activity.
For Smyth Street Strikers, however, the message from the Queen’s College Ground was simple: the champions had returned, and the title was staying with them.
