Members of Jamaica's successful Under-15 cricket team on arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport on Monday. The team successfully defended the Clico West Indies Under-15 trophy at the weekend. - Contributed

Paul Campbell, president of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), said the success of Jamaica's team in retaining the Clico West Indies Under-15 championship is a continuation of the JCA's plan to dominate regional cricket.

"I feel very good, very happy and proud that we won the competition and defended our title,"said Campbell, who was on hand at the Norman Manley International Airport to greet the team on their return from Barbados on Easter Monday.

"We were disciplined and determined as even though we lost one match, which was a setback, we came back in the last match and defeated the Windward Islands, which was good enough for the title," said Campbell.

After ending joint top of the standings with Trinidad and Tobago on eight points, Jamaica secured the title on a tie-breaker by virtue of having defeated Trinidad and Tobago in their head-to-head clash. Both teams won four and lost one match.

"It's wonderful. This is what we had been preparing and planning for, to defend our title. It all comes down to the foundation that one lays and if you look at our programme, not just this year, but for the past three or four years in terms of what is necessary, it has been good.

"It is a continuation of our aim to be the most dominant force in West Indies cricket," added Campbell.

Besides the Under-15 team, Jamaica also secured the regional senior title for the George Headley/Everton Weekes Trophy, a competition which ended yesterday. The Under-19 women's cricket team also emerged champions in their regional competition, beating Guyana by four wickets in the final in St Lucia on Sunday.

The Under-15 coach, Terrence Corke, credits pre-tournament preparation and discipline for their success.

Excited

"I am really excited about this year, more than last year," Corke told The Gleaner.

"Last year we just had some trial matches, this year we really did some coaching, some teaching and the boys learned," added a delighted-looking Corke, who was assisted in pre-season duties by national technical director Jimmy Adams and manager Ephraim McLeod.

"What was also good about it is that we saw them doing what we wanted them to do and that was exciting to me. What we have here in Jamaica is some very good coaches," he added.

"It was very competitive. What I really want is two-day cricket, but since we don't have that we just just have to work with what we have," noted Corke.

"There were some good teams in the competition like Trinidad and Guyana, who were very good. Barbados had a good batting line-up, but not good bowling," he observed.

Jamaica were earning their fifth hold on the championship, having won previously in the inaugural tournament in 1996, 2003, 2006 and last year.