POWERGEN SECONDARY SCHOOLS CRICKET LEAGUE
April 24th 2009

‘El Do’, Hillview seek first national title

Hillview College of Tunupuna and El Dorado Secondary Comprehensive will be seeking their first ever National Championship title, when they meet in the final of the Secondary Schools Cricket League tournament at the Sir Frank Worrell Grounds at the University of the West Indies in St Augustine, starting at 10 am.

It will also be the first time in many years that two schools from the North-East Championship Division will contest the prestigious final. The teams earned the right to contest the final, with impressive victories in the semifinals.

Giant killers Hillview, coached by Richard Kelly Snr triumphed against Fatima College, while the well-oiled and disciplined El Dorado team destroyed defending champions, Presentation College of Chaguanas. For Hillview College, it is their first national final in 26 years and coach Kelly is confident that his talented bunch can upset the more experience El Dorado outfit.

National U-19 allrounder Marc Panchu will lead the Hillview challenge and can expect solid support from U-19 trialists — Dion Smith, Duanne Cockburn and Rajeev Singh.

“ I feel it will be a good battle. We have a good bunch of talented players, who if they play to their true ability can create a minor upset against their opponents,” Kelly said.

Led by impressive National U-19 allrounder, Yannic Cariah, the ‘El Do’ squad is oozing with confidence and coach Indar Ramgoolam is certain that the silverware will adorn the trophy shelves at El Dorado Secondary this year.

“ Knowing my team, I am very confident going into this all important final. We will be going all out to win our first national title. We have a strong and balance team but we know that the opposition is no walk over. I am hoping my boys will go out there and do their best and come out on top in the encounter,” Ramgoolam said.

Also included in the ‘El Do’ team are wicketkeeper/batsman Aaron Alfred and left-arm pacer Nicholas Rampersad.

Officials of the T&T Cricket Board, headed by CEO and General Secretary, Forbes Persaud, President of the SSCL, William Wallace and Corporate Communications Manager of PowerGen, Margaret Ann Patino will meet the players just before the scheduled start.

TEAMS:

Hillvew College: Marc Panchu (captain), Dion Smith, Duane Cockburn, Anthony Jawahir, Idrees Mohammed, Anthony Simmons, Isaiah Rajah, Shaquille Allick, Rajiv Singh, Stefan Gafoor, Antonio Alleyne, Jesse Seenath, Shakeel Katwaroo, Isiah Moreno. Manager: Dereck Bissember. Coach: Richard Kelly Snr.

El Dorado Secondary: Yannic Cariah (captain), Aaron Alfred, Nicholas Rampersad, Kern Mathison, Shaquille Bazzie, Travis Karim, Brent Nicholson, Videsh Ramdass, Keron Raymond, Alexander Caldon, Lendl Nelson, Brian Christmas, Anthony Jaikaran. Manager: Nigel Maharaj. Coach: Indar Ramgoolam.