KC old boys hail 'Bowla'

Witty's Soul Tone Wine Bar and the old boys' association will pay homage to former outstanding Kingston College (KC) sportsman of the 1960s, Franklyn 'Bowla' Morant, this afternoon with a Vintage Musical and Sports Forum at Savannah Plaza, Constant Spring Road starting at 4 p.m.

Morant was not only a member of the all-conquering KC football team which won the Manning Cup and Olivier Shield in 1964, but the team which won Boys' Champs and the Sunlight Cup cricket competition that same year as well.

His Manning Cup team which won again in 1965 include Tony Keyes, Trevor 'Jumpy' Harris, Neville Oxford, Mickey Vernon, Dennis Johnson and goalkeepers Ossie Bailey (1964) and Leslie Lucas (1965). Harris and Vernon were also members of the victorious Sunlight Cup team.

Morant, now 64, gained a football scholarship to Michigan State University (MSU) where he obtained a bachelor's degree in political science. He joined former Kingston College Manning Cup teammates Keyes, 'Jumpy' Harris and goalkeeper Lucas on the MSU team which won the NCAA championship in 1968 and later became captain of the team playing in his usual centre-half position.

He also represented KC at the Penn Relays in 1966 as a member of the mile relay team which finished second, as well as a member of the historic Cavalier FC championship team which won the Division I title in the mid-1960s under the guidance of legendary coach Leighton Duncan.

Admission to the venue is $500 and part proceeds will go to the restoration fund for the KC cricket nursery. Selectors include Morant's contemporary at KC, Roy Black, who was a good footballer in his own right, as well as Witty, Charlie Grant, Mikey Thompson and Laurie Foster.