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‘Ganja Man’ Linked To Gun Found

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By: Drizel Hanley
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 12th September 2018) – Police have linked an individual to a firearm that was found during a search operation in Sandy Point last month.

An update provided this week indicates that Denzil ‘Ganja Man’ Stevens of that community was arrested and charged for possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition relating to that find.

On August 18, 2018, the officers from several units searched an empty piece of land in Sandy Point and one 12-gauge shotgun with several rounds of ammunition were found.

The shotgun and ammunition were processed at the forensic lab.

In other related news shared by this police this week also, during a recent joint operation in Shadwell a .22 pistol and several rounds of matching ammunition were found in a structure between two premises.

Police say this is the 23rd firearm to be taken into police custody for the year.

Police investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Basseterre Man Dies From Gunshots To Head  

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 12th September 2018) – A 58-year-old man attacked by gunmen while seated in his car last week in New Road died from multiple gunshots to his head according to an autopsy report.

Dead is Edward Ryan of Upper Fiennes Avenue, Basseterre.

On Thursday 6th September, police received a report of a shooting incident at about 10:40 p.m. and responded.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Ryan was sitting in his car in the area of Charles Halbert Street when two armed men approached him. Reportedly, they opened fire and he was shot several times about the body. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

A post mortem was performed some four days later (10thSeptember 10) by Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Valery Alexandrov who police say “concluded that death was as a result of multiple fatal gunshot wounds to the head.”

At the crime scene that night, technicians from the Forensic Department visited and processed the area and took items of evidential value into police custody.

Persons with information regarding this incident are urged to contact the Violent Crimes Unit by dialing 467-1887/1888 or 662-3468.

Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Fugitive Suicide A Hot Topic

Fugitive Suicide A Hot Topic

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 12th September 2018) – “Vincent Taylor was shot multiple times about his body and died at the scene.”

In a twist of events, such a statement disclosed by Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley- at a press conference held earlier this month- has become a hot topic in the public after an autopsy this week revealed that fugitive Vincent Taylor, 38, took his own life during a shootout with officers and was not fatally wounded by members of a special joint team who hunted the then wanted man.

Police say that after completing the autopsy, Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Valery Alexandrov “concluded that Taylor had multiple non-fatal gunshot wounds and one fatal suicidal gunshot wound to the head.”

It was also indicated that an investigation into his death would be conducted with the provided information that “a coroner’s inquest into his death is expected to be conducted in the near future.”

According to COP Queeley, on Friday 31st August members of the special joint team conducted a search operation for Taylor and acting on information, the team cordoned off an area in Bouncing Hill which had several premises within the cordon and proceeded to search the area.

That team comprised of police officers and members of the defense force.

Information reaching this media house indicates that the shootout which allegedly occurred sometime around 5PM ended before 6PM.

“On the particular premises of the incident where he was located, permission was sought from the owner to enter the premises and once granted, the security forces proceeded. While searching the premises, Taylor was spotted and without hesitation, he proceeded to open fire on the officers. They returned fire. One officer was shot and injured… Vincent Taylor was shot multiple times about his body and died at the scene,” COP Queeley said.

Taylor had been living as a fugitive for over six (6) months. The young man who died two days after his birthday was wanted in connection with two crimes to the public’s knowledge- the August 2018 shooting death of 44-year-old Police Sergeant Leon ‘Shabba’ Powell and a December 2017 armed robbery at a Chinese supermarket in Sandy Point.

Police have indicated that there is evidence linking Taylor to at least two other robberies in the Division B area namely at the Dollar Stretcher store and also recently at another Chinese business place.

Sgt. Powell was shot dead on Saturday 18th August at about 1 AM during an armed robbery at his bar located in his home community of Newton Ground. As investigation unfolded and more information became available, Taylor became the prime suspect.

At the scene where Taylor was killed, Sgt. Powell’s issued weapon-which was used to fatally wound him (Sgt. Powell)-was found.

According to authorities, that gun was used by Taylor in the shootout.

Individuals Who Helped Fugitive Vincent Taylor Facing Charges

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By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 7th September 2018)–Wanted fugitive Vincent Taylor was killed following a shootout with police in a building located in Sandy Point last week, and while the local authorities say tracking him down was due to the public’s help, on the flipside, however, police are looking to charge individuals who harboured him.

Speaking at a press conference held on Saturday 1st September at the Police Training Complex in Newtown, Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley commended members of the public “who came forward in an overwhelming way to offer support and have carried out their civic duties in assisting the police in this matter.”

“We would not have found him without your help. You have given police renewed hope. Hope that there are still many who are on the side of law and order,” he added.

In addressing those who helped Taylor in keeping low, the top cop said: “…while there are those coming forward to assist the police to find the fugitive, there were also others who were helping him to evade the police. The community he was found in is a close-knit, well-populated community. We know that there are persons who would have seen him and said nothing and that there are those who were harbouring him, feeding him, providing shelter, assisting him with travel etc.”


Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley speaking at last week’s press conference

He then outlined: “Allow me to remind everyone that harbouring fugitives is a criminal offense and we are looking into who we can lay such charges against in this matter. Helping him means that you were willing to see another establishment being robbed at gun point or another individual hurt. We should all be on duty.”

After living as a fugitive for over six (6) months, Taylor-shot dead two days after his 38th birthday-, was wanted in connection with two crimes to the public’s knowledge- the August 2018 shooting death of 44-year-old Police Sergeant Leon ‘Shabba’ Powell and a December 2017 armed robbery at a supermarket in Sandy Point.

Sgt. Powell was shot dead on Saturday 18th August at about 1 AM during an armed robbery at his bar located in his home community of Newton Ground.

As investigation unfolded and more information became available, Taylor became the prime suspect. At the scene where Taylor was killed, Sgt. Powell’s issued weapon-which was used to fatally wound him (Sgt. Powell)-was found.

Results from ballistic works carried out on the bullets and other shell casings found on the scenes “indicate that it was his (Sgt. Powell) weapon that was relieved of at the time that was used to kill him.”

A police officer was wounded to his shoulder during that recent gun fight.

Police records also show that the pistol used by Taylor to shoot and injure that officer was the department’s firearm issued to Sgt. Powell.

COP Queeley revealed that on Friday 31st August, members of the special joint team conducting a search operation for the wanted man, and acting on information, the team cordoned off an area in Bouncing Hill which had several premises within the cordon and proceeded to search the area.

The deceased fugitive, also known by three nicknames-Shungy, Bungo and Lyah, had two addresses namely Sandy Point and McKnight on the wanted poster.

Additionally, he was described to be armed and dangerous.

 

 

 

 

Zack, Doctor of Culture, Ready to Make His Comeback

By: Precious Mills

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 7th September 2018) –With thousands of photos, artefacts and other historical items in his possession, well-known cultural preservationist Winston ‘Zack’ Nisbett is gearing up to unveil a new public exhibition for the first time in two years since moving from Central Street to Buckley’s Estate.

This media house had an exclusive chit-chat with the nicknamed ‘Doctor of Culture’ who has informed that the items to be displayed at the Zack’s Historical-Cultural Library Museum will showcase an educational imagery of slavery to independence.
An official opening ceremony is slated to take place on Friday 14th September-in the days leading up to two major nationalistic holidays- National Heroes Day (16th September) and Independence Day (19th September).

“We will be having an exhibition here and it will be an indication of the transformation from slavery right up until now, and you can see the number of pictures that I have inside that will be mounted on panel boards and bigger boards. At nights, I sit here and I formulate the pictures with the writings so that they can be seen from a distance.”

Nisbett said the images would highlight most of the prominent persons who have contributed over the years to the political and socio-economic development of St.Kitts-Nevis, Anguilla and the wider Caribbean. Such figures include Robert L. Bradshaw (first National Hero of St.Kitts-Nevis), Joseph N. France, Thomas Manchester, Edgar Challenger as well as Dereck Walcott of St. Lucia and Eric Williams of Trinidad and Tobago.

“It will be really good. It is something important for St.Kitts and Nevis. I am taking my time with it. This is a serious thing. I’m not making any joke.”

Commenting on the significance of the Buckley’s Estate, he said: “The whole area is very historical and it would be one the more established places for tourism because it was where the 1935 Buckley’s Riot was held and if you look and see I have some of the relics here that were used in those days that are significant like the copper and some of the old machineries. They are there and I’m making sure that they are cleaned up and look presentable, and when I say presentable- the look of these pieces would not be changed up with paint and so forth but we will try to preserve them as much as possible and have them in a way so that tourists as well as locals can see what we once went through, where we came from and where we’re going because it’s always important to reflect.”

Found at Nisbett’s new location is an old sugar mill.

“The mill is going to play a significant role in all that development so it’s important that we preserve our heritage and do not get the rid of it so that no one can come and juts take it away from us to restore our things. This is our restoration, this is our historical value; it is for St.Kitts and the entire Federation on a whole and it is something that will enhance the whole country’s development from a historical perspective and that is what we have here and we must nurture it and we must not let anybody take us for granted. We must have it preserved for prosperity.”

Moving from his old location stemmed from some property challenges he encountered and although trying not to rehash such bitter details of the past, Nisbett did share with this reporter that “a lot of my things were stolen and persons who I thought better of, they laughed and they giggled with me but they are like wolves in sheep clothing.”

He has assured his supporters that he is ready to make his comeback.

“We must at all times try for excellence and as long as you have God nobody could do you anything. As long as you are positive and have the visions to create an environment that would make things better in the country and institutions of such magnitude it is significant so I just want to say to everybody let sleeping dogs lie. You haven’t seen anything yet!”

At present, he is facing a land issue concerning the Buckley’s Estate spot. He informed, however, that the government has stepped in to assist.

For over 14 years, Nisbett resided and worked from the Edgar Challenger International House Museum and Library situated on Central Street within the vicinity of Government Headquarters.

Dwyer Astaphan Heads National Security Committee


By: Drizel Hanley

BASSETRRE, St.Kitts (Thursday 6th September 2018)– Yesterday (Wednesday), former Minister of National Security, Dwyer Astaphan- a well-known radio talk show personality- was announced as the Chairman of the newly-formed National Security Strategy Formulation Committee (NSSFC).

Such announcement was made during a press conference held at Police Training Complex whereby Attorney General Vincent ‘Juicy’ Byron Jr., officially publicised the formation and approval of the group.

The other unveiled members include retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Liburd; Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Timothy Antoine; Drug Prevention Officer Newrish Nital; Acting Director of Youth Empowerment, Pierre Liburd, Pastor Lincoln Hazell, Errol Wilkinson, Michelle de la Coudray- Blake and Donald Cable.

The former National Security Minister, a lawyer by profession, thanked the Ministry of National Security for choosing him and promised to do all in his power not to disappoint.

He further noted that the fight against crime is everybody’s business hence one must take an objective and holistic approach in an effort to combat the scourge in crime on St. Kitts and Nevis.

Astaphan held that governmental portfolio under the former St.Kitts-Nevis Party Dr. Denzil Douglas-led administration.

In 2008, he tendered resigned after serving three consecutive terms as the Parliamentary Representative of Constituency Two (Central Basseterre). He was Minister of National Security, Immigration and Labour.

At present, he is a host on a weekly programme called ‘Operation Rescue’ aired on WINNFM which addresses various topics including politics and crime.

Meanwhile Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Osmond Petty, at this week’s press conference, said the formation of this committee forms part of the National Security Architectural Framework.

“As part of this strategy document, there will be a review of public sector ministries, departments and agencies and the development and implementation of various social intervention programmes.”

Petty added that the information garnered by this committee will be submitted in a report to Cabinet, who will decide the way forward based on the report.

According to him, the committee was allotted four (4) months to complete the task and that an extension may be given if necessary.

According to National Security Advisor, (Ret.) Major General Stewart Saunders the purpose of such a committee is to “formulate a strategic plan that is designed to take a robust approach to enhance public safety in St. Kitts and Nevis.”

He further noted that the committee will concoct a National Security Strategy Policy which will underscore methods to can be used in relation to public safety.

In touching on the review of government institutions, Maj. General Saunders noted that review may be conducted in institutions such as the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services, Her Majesty’s Prison, Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise Department, and others involved in homeland protection.

He said that there must be a coherence within the agencies and consideration is being given to incorporate private security firms to assist security efforts.

SKN Red Cross Hosts Psychological Support Workshop

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By: Drizel Hanley

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 6th September 2018)-Yesterday saw the end of a two-day Psychological Support workshop hosted by the St. Kitts- Nevis Red Cross ( 4th to 5th September).

The workshop formed part of the organisation’s decree to partner with other groups so as to provide psycho-social support to persons in need following natural disasters.

Disaster Coordinator for the St. Kitts-Nevis Red Cross Patricia Peets said that the workshop was important because after a disaster there are persons who are in great distress and sometimes they are broken.

“And we are here to help those who are broken and those who ae in need of psycho social support,” she added.

Psychologist at JNF General Hospital and facilitator at the psychosocial workshop, Dr.

Cherrylyn Ward Crawford, said that the purpose of the workshop was to equip the attendees with basic skills so that they can offer support to persons in society who are in need of it.

“So this workshop was not just for persons who are therapist or counsellors… the workshop is for persons who just want to offer support to different individuals who may need it,” Dr. Ward Crawford added.

Psychosocial support trainer at the St. Kitts-Nevis Red Cross, Kerdis Clarke, was on hand during the two day workshop to train the attendees.

Some of the topics covered were loss and grief, children, stress and coping and training on how to develop psychosocial skills.

“It is very essential that they develop these skills so that as they execute their task that they execute it well,” she said.

Clarke described the workshop as fun filled noting that the participants are now confident in delivering such skills acquired during the workshop.

Attendees included Red Cross volunteers, representatives from NEMA, the Mental Health and Counselling Center, St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, Police as well as Fire and Rescue Services.

Patriots Fans ‘Big Up’ Team On Winning Ways


By: Precious Mills

BASSETRRE, St.Kitts (Thursday 6th September 2018) – A two-wicket win over Barbados Tridents on Tuesday 4th September at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium, in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 tournament, sent fans of the St.Kitts & Nevis Patriots wild with excitement as the team continued its winning ways following its victory against the Jamaica Tallawahs two days earlier, having redeemed from losing two other matches before attaining champion status on franchise home turf.

That night Tridents scored 168 for 5 with 44 from Nicholas Pooran.

Middle-order batsman Fabian Allen of the Patriots team was the star of the match. After the Patriots found itself at 92 for 6 (in the 12th over), a defining moment saw Allen to the rescue with a knock of 64 not out off 34 balls taking the team home with 19.4 overs in the last match hosted in the Federation this time around.

As understood, the Patriots-whose regular season is finished- have qualified for the playoffs taking a spot in the top four.

Allen, in speaking with local reporters after game, thanked his coach for giving him the opportunity to “execute my plans. Well, my plan was to stick to my basic of what I always do. I always had these innings in me so I just go out there and try to execute it.

Fabian Allen (official CPL image)

According to him: “They [my team] always believed in me so I just back myself and just go out there and just stick to the role I’m supposed to play and just go out there.”

Captain Chris Gayle thanked the Patriots fans for showing support.

“… I want to thank the Patriots crowd to actually turn out to support us. I know sometimes they’ve been harsh on us a bit but I still want to give them credit for the turn out and the support to actually stand behind us and cheer us on right to til the end.”

He applauded Allen saying: “What a magnificent innings Fabian Allen played. He is a youngster. He has been around quite a while now and he is just showing the hunger and determination out there in the middle. It’s good to have someone in the team who could actually finish off the game for you so it was a brilliant innings and he took it home for us which I’m very happy and pleased with.”

This reporter interacted with Patriots fans including Natalie Louis of-the mother Jeremiah Louis who is a Kittitian Patriots cricketer. His mom is the leader of a cheerleaders group called the Pink Patriots which made appearances during the CPL matches.

Here is what the fans had to say:

St.Kitts Pink Patriots –Natalia Louis

 

“Overall, I think we could have done much better but it is what it is at times and tonight I thought for a moment that we would lose but we kept our heads together! They kept the batting together and we are thankful for Fabian Allen who came out and he really mashed it up and spiced it up and made our day! We just feel good to say hooray!”

Shauna and Troy
“The match was a really good one. Competitively, there was the [stiff] competition. It was an exciting game to watch. Overall, the Patriots performance could have been better but we’re satisfied still.”- Shauna

“We have two wins at home ….We did better than Barbados who lost all in Barbados so we did great still and we want to continue rallying with them for the playoffs and we hope that we’ll be able to pull off that; we should be able to.”- Troy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winston ‘Zack’ Nisbett
“This game that was won tonight is a benefit to St.Kitts and Nevis. It’s a good thing because it’s a psychological impact on the development of the game and it’s a good thing. Even though they have qualified already, this is a good thing that they have won the game under stress, and I’m impressed with Allen. I like his style of batting. I think though that they have to look at the bowling a little bit and also the batting line-up in the future games because they are going to meet more difficult games going into the semi-finals and the finals. They need upgrade the games but all in all the patriots have done well and I believe that’s a good thing for them and I wish them well throughout the entire series. I believe they could capture the final game and win and make us feel proud.”

 

 

 

Cedric Liburd
“It was a very close match for me; I think Tridents made too much runs tonight but we were able to do it. There were some changes in the team but those who came in for the match did very well. I’m now looking forward to the semi-finals and the play offs. They have done well overall.”

 

 

 

 

 

Javanie Marsham

“The game was very exciting I must say. It was the most exciting game so far. I was at the edge of my seat in the last two overs but Allen brought it home Thank God! I was praying for Patriots so hard!”

Autopsy Results of Gov’t Minister’s Son Revealed

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By: Drizel Hanley

BASSETRRE, St.Kitts (Thursday 6th September 2018)-An autopsy performed on the body of Mikhail ‘Mitch’ Liburd by Forensic Pathologist Dr. Valery Alexandrov concluded that the cause of death was due to multiple gunshot wounds to the body.

According to reports the deceased young man, son of Public Utilities Minister Ian ‘Patches’ Liburd, was reportedly visiting someone at Pine Gardens on Monday 27th August at about 10:15 PM when three armed men came out of the nearby bushes and opened fire on him shooting him multiple times about the body as he was getting out of the vehicle.

Police enquiries revealed that he ran a short distance then fell. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Police have appealed to the public to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at 467-1887/1888 or 662-3468 or their nearest Police Station with any information they might have regarding this matter.

Photo: Mikhail ‘Mitch’ Liburd

Chris Gayle Checked Weather App In Patriots Win Strategy

By: Precious Mills

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Tuesday 4th September 2018) – In a recent media interview, St.Kitts-Nevis Patriots captain Chris Gayle revealed that he checked a weather app on his cellphone during the rain-affected Caribbean Premier League (CPL) match played on Sunday 2nd September at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium in Basseterre which saw his team defeating the Jamaica Tallawahs- Gayle’s former squad- following a Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) victory.

The Patriots won by seven wickets in the match which was reduced to 11 overs due to rain.

The score board saw Patriots 118 for three off 10.1 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 45 not out, Chris Gayle 41, Mahmudullah 28 not out) while for the Tallawahs 206 for six off 20 overs -Rovman Powell 84, Glenn Phillips 40, David Miller 32; Ben Cutting 2-29.

Notably, the seven-wicket win was an exciting moment for fans since the Patriots  lost two previous games playing against the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Trinidad and Tobago Knight Riders the following matches played on Tuesday 28th August and Saturday 1st September respectively.

A match between the Patriots and Barbados Tridents was called off on Thursday 30th August due to rain.

In a live on field interview following Sunday’s match, Tallawahs captain Andrew Russell admitted “…It wasn’t our night so well done to St.Kitts [Nevis].

The interviewer pointed out that it was Russell’s first time coming up against Chris Gayle bowling against him in CPL, and asked what it was like.

“It’s always a nervous feeling you know he is a universe boss. He has the stats to show and he have murdered most bowlers around the world so bowling towards him is always a threat and at the end of the day you try to bowl as…to him to keep him off and get him off strike so I guess it’s always a challenge always going,” the Tallawah’s captain said about his former team captain.

Commenting on the Patriot’s victory Gayle remarked: “It’s a big relief to be honest with you for the team and more so for the fans to especially. We didn’t want what happened to Barbados to happen to us here as well even though we have one more game to go this was an important game to us to actually get two points and that actually put us in a safe position but still a lot of cricket to go. We haven’t been playing our best cricket yet so hopefully in the playoffs that when we turn up and …be ready.”

The interviewer commended Gayle on a “good decision making” pointing out that he knew the rain would come and interrupt the game which saw him opting to bowl first.

“Yeah” Gayle said while laughing “I checked the weather app on my phone and saw that rain was going to come at 9PM…”

In talking about the team’s strategy in light of such, he shared: ” …like I said, we just needed our batting and bowling to actually do it for us and to lift our game out in the outfield as well.”

This reporter decided to chit-chat with fans and sports enthusiasts about the match.

Sports Director Anthony Wiltshire had this to say:“Well we are happy that the Patriots won this evening but there are some issues that we have to ensure that we work on. The captaincy Chris Gayle, personally I don’t think that he’s marshalling the forces as he should. In terms of the training of us bowlers, I have an issue with that as well and he as the master batsman , he has to lead from the front realizing what impact he has on the rest of the team because you realise in most of the matches once Chris fails it’s like the team goes in limbo so going forward, we expect him to step up to the plate so that he can motivate his players but this evening we have come out and we are very happy that we have won because we have been disappointed especially last evening so we look forward to winning Barbados on Tuesday and then going to the play offs hoping that this time , we won’t be any runner up but that we will win and we will bring home the coveted trophy.”

Asked whether or not he was optimistic about the Patriots winning that day, he responded: “At one point I was a bit down but then I’ll say the rain worked in our favour as well this evening because… when the rain actually came, if the match had stopped at that stage, we would have run because we were seven runs ahead of the Jamaicans but afterwards it was touch and go and our batsmen really delivered this evening so we say congratulations to our team and we look forward to better things as we go towards the play offs.”

Buckie of BuckieGotIt media commented: “The Patriots won. We had some showers and it worked in our favour so I’m happy. Last year it didn’t work in our favour against Trinidad so I’m happy that the patriots came out and put us in number four spot and we have another game on Tuesday so we’re looking forward to a big turnout. The Ducksworth method it worked in our favour and I’m happy that the Patriots won and so I’m looking forward for more fans to come out with more St.Kitts-Nevis flags and more Patriots flags.”

Buckie

 

Questioned about whether or not he believed the Patriots would have won, he said: “As Gyale said the better team win so it’s sports so I expect anything but the point is we needed this win and I think the fans are going to feel much more better, much more comfortable knowing that we got the two points tonight so I think the team itself. I think Chris Gayle was under some pressure. I heard that he was attacked on the media today but overall the match went in our favour and so I’m looking for more Patriots fans to show up on Tuesday.”

A young female in her 20s who chose to be anonymous said she is not particularly a fan of the Ducksworth method.

“I feel like the win was good. I don’t particularly like the Duckworth method. However, it played in our favour tonight because in the power play we really opened up and gave a good amount of runs so it was in our favour. After the rain when they educed the runs I realised that the fellows came down and they decided that they are going to buckle down and knock out those runs; that’s what they did and I’m very proud of them. However, if it wasn’t for the….method, I kinda feel like we probably would have lost so I’m glad for that.”

Cricket action continues today featuring the Patriots vs the Barbados Tridents at 6PM.