Vere Technical, well known for its exploits on the track throughout the late 1980s and ‘90s, as well as for producing one of the greatest schoolboy football teams of all time, also has, maybe a less well-known history, of producing fine cricket teams. But The Gleaner remembers everything and this story, published in 1975, reminds readers, that with cricket ball in hand or bat swinging for fences, Vere Technical also have quite a bit of pedigree.

Published  May 21, 1975

Headley Cup to Vere Technical

Gleaner Sports Reporter

Vere Technical High School won the Headley Cup for cricket for the fifth time on May 20, 1975 when they demolished finalists Titchfield High School in their match at Kensington Park.

Scores were: Vere 201, Titchfield 47.

Batting first in their scheduled 2-day encounter, Vere lost their first two wickets at seven runs, both to paceman Hubert Francis who finished the day with three for 64.

But the early success was soon erased with the arrival of Donald Clarke who along with opener Delbert Lewis put on 63 with Clarke getting 36 (five fours) and Lewis on 27. Spinner Harold Brown broke this stand when he bowled Clarke but Lewis held out for another 59 partnership with Carlton Johnson (53).

However, Lewis' innings came to a close with his score on 59 the best for the innings including eight fours. He was run out, and the Vere team were now 129 for 4.

The other batsmen for Vere never handled the bowling well and when Johnson was out with the score on 193 and seven wickets down the end seemed imminent. Just eight more runs were added before the innings came to a close.

Bowling for Titchfield, Brown (3 for 72) and Francis were the top men while Gifton Passely finished with two for 16.

SHAKY

Titchfield looked shaky from the start. Pacemen Danny Smith and Neville Solomon had the openers pushing all around and it seemed, even at that stage, only a matter of time.

By the time they got to seven both openers were back in the pavillion Lennox Grant run out for five and Dennis Shackford bowled by Solomon for 1.

Four more batsmen joined them in the pavillion before the score had reached 20. It took No. 9 batsman Harold Francis to give any form of hope to his team. He scored 18 with two fours and was the only batsman to reach double figures.

In the Titchfield bowling department Danny Smith took top honours with four for 17 while off spinner Alexander Morgan finished with 3 for eight. Solomon got 2 for 16.

The first big test for the Vere team will be against the Sunlight Cup champions Wolmer's at a date to be arranged. The winner there will hold the Spalding Cup.

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