Foster hurt and embarrassed

Long standing President of the Ashburton Sports and Cultural Organisation (ASCO) Denisford Foster said he was “hurt and embarrassed” after his team ASCO One forfeited the second day, Sunday, of the final of the Bottlers First Division.{{more}}

It was reported that only two players from the ASCO One outfit turned up at the Stubbs Playing Field at the due start of play on Sunday at 10:30 am.

Foster told SEARCHLIGHT last Monday night that he regretted the decision by some of his players, but promised to get to the root of the matter and make decisions internally.

“We have worked to get to the final and it was our vision to win and go up to the Premier Division,” Foster said.

“We thought it was a good achievement that after just two years in the competition that we could reach the final,” he added.

Foster revealed that his organization footed the bill for their participation.

“We had no sponsors, their registration was paid, balls were bought. We brought two teams, ASCO One and ASCO Two, just to give the youths of the community opportunities to do something positive,” Foster bemoaned.

He stopped short of saying that the players were at the receiving end of some pampering by his organisation.

“All the players have to do is turn up and play,” lamented Foster, the founder and lone President of ASCO ever since the community body came into being some 19 years ago.

“It has left me with a bad feeling and the image of the organization,” he echoed.

The virtual surrender of the match by ASCO One gave Police One the First Division title, without much of a sweat.

The tale of the aborted final showed ASCO One being bowled out for 79. Desron Maloney was the topscorer with 28. Parnell Browne took 3 for 5, bowling for Police One.

The lawmen finished day one, having replied with 85 for 5, already ahead on first innings. Vertil Davis had made 32, but that was the final destination of the match.

At the other end, ASCO One also benefitted from winning by default over Unique Warriors and Owia Stars, which assisted them greatly in reaching the semi final stage.

In addition, ASCO Two lost by default their fixture versus Police One, and forfeited the second day against the Neil Williams Academy. Last year in the National Lotteries Authority 20/20 Competition, ASCO lost two matches by the default route.

Meanwhile, a meeting will be held tomorrow, Saturday, 15th August from 10 am, at the offices of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Co-operative Credit Union.

At this meeting, the closing of registration and the date for the start of the National Lotteries Authority Neil Williams 20/20 competition will be finalised.