LOCAL CRICKET ROUND-UP
May 2nd 2008

‘Pres’ lifts sixth InterCol title

PRESENTATION COLLEGE, Chaguanas captured their sixth InterCol title, when they defeated El Dorado Secondary Comprehensive by two wickets in the final of the PowerGen Secondary Schools Cricket League.

In a day/night encounter at Guaracara Park in Pointe-a-Pierre on Wednesday night, ‘Pres’ led by solid contributions from T&T and West Indies youth opening batsman, Adrian Barath (43,4x4s, 1x6), Kjorn Ottley (35), Keiron Joseph (31) and Amir Khan (26) took full advantage against their lesser experienced counterparts, to romp home with nine balls in the contest remaining.

Earlier, ‘El Do’ won the toss and opted for first strike and tallied a competitive 190 for eight from the allotted 30 overs.

Talented batsman Aaron Alfred topscored with 65 which included six fours, while Alex Aguillera and Yannic Cariah made 26 apiece. Ottley was the top bowler with three for 34.

In response, the ‘Pres’ batsmen all contributed towards their target and the coveted title, with decent scores.

Adams was named ‘Player of the Match’, as well as the ‘Best Batsman’ award. His colleague Cariah copped the prize for the ‘Best Bowler’, while ‘Pres’ Qadir Shan was named ‘Best Fieldsman’.

Sports Master at ‘Pres’, Lalman Kowlessar was elated at his team’s success.

“ Winning has become a norm. I do not think I am emotionally affected by their performance. I expected them to win. It was never a challenge,” Kowlessar said.

Summarised Scores:

AT GUARACARA PARK: El Dorado Secondary Comprehensive 190-8 (30 overs) (Aaron Alfred 65, Alex Aguillera 26, Yannic Cariah 26, Javed Boodram 19, Kjorn Ottley 3-34, Amir Khan 2-41) v Presentation College, Chaguanas 191-8 (28.3) (Adrian Barath 43, Kjorn Ottley 35, Keiron Joseph 31, Amir Khan 26, Yannic Cariah 2-27). ‘Pres’ won by 2 wkts.

Honour Roll:

• Best Bowler - Yannic Cariah
• Best Batsman - Aaron Alfred
• Best Fiieldsman - Qadir Shah
• Player of the Match - Aaron Alfred.

CARIB 20/20 TOURNAMENT

Bravo, Ramdin shine in 20/20 semis

T&T and West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin lashed a robust 33, to lead defending champions Clico Preysal Sports, to a five-wicket-win against W Connection Wanderers in a Carib 20/20 semi-final encounter yesterday.

At Inshan Ali Park in Preysal, Ramdin thrilled his home crowd during his innings which included two fours and one six, to see his team to victory with six balls in the contest remaining.

‘Man of the Match’ Ramdin was given admirable support by former West Indies U-15 batsman Aaron Ragoonath who made an important 35 off 39 balls with four fours.

Earlier, Wanderers had first strike and were dismissed for a paltry 101 in 18.1 overs. Only Barbadian batsman Kenroy Williams offered resistance with 35 off 33 balls with three fours.

Fringe West Indies 20/20 batsman William Perkins made only 16.

At Gilbert Park in California, Queen’s Park led an unbeaten 76 from T&T and West Indies youth batsman Darren Bravo defeated FCB Clarke Road United by 32 runs.

The left-handed Bravo, younger brother of West Indies Test allrounder Dwayne Bravo, smashed a brilliant 76 off 48 balls which was enriched with seven fours, to help the ‘Parkites” to a challenging 162 for five from the allotted 20 overs.

Bravo who was later named ‘Man of the Match’ was assisted by West Indies players Ricardo Powell with 26 and Runako Morton 21.

Set an asking rate of a little more than eight runs per-over, Clarke Road were under-mined by former T&T and West Indies youth off-spinner Sunil Narine who bagged four for 23.

Narine was supported by former T&T youth players Rishaad Harris (3-32) and Darren Deonarine (2-15). The final is carded for May 16 at Guaracara Park in Pointe-a-Pierre.

Summarised scores

AT GILBERT PARK: Queen’s Park Cricket Club 162-5 (20 overs) (Darren Bravo 76 not out, Ricardo Powell 26, Runako Morton 21, Sean Siloch 2-42) v FCB Clarke Road United 130 all out (19.5) (Sean Siloch 22, Adrian Barath 21, Kenroy Peters 20, Sunil Narine 4-23, Rishaad Harris 3-32, Darren Deonarine 2-15). Q Park won by 32 runs. Darren Bravo (MoM).

AT INSHAN ALI PARK: W Connection Wanderers 101 all out (18.1 overs)(Kenroy Williams 35, Avalon Cuffy 18, Keegan Roy 3-28, Shazan Babwah 3-15, Anderson Bryce 2-14) v Clico Preysal Sports 102-5 (19 overs) (Aaron Ragoonath 35, Denesh Ramdin 33, Navin Stewart 2-12). Preysal won by 5 wkts. Denesh Ramdin (MoM).

CLICO UNDER-15 INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Kenyans finished at the bottom

THE KENYANS youth cricketers finished at the bottom of the standings in the Clico Under-15 International Championship Round-Robin Series, when they were beaten by Holland by 60 runs at Shaw Park in Tobago, yesterday.

In the play-off for seven and eight place, Holland completely dominated proceedings against the young Africans, who went winless in the tournament, which started two weeks ago in Barbados.

The young Dutchmen batted first and went on to score a competitive 172 for nine from the allotted 50 overs. Stefan Ekelmans topscored with a fluent 51 from 87 deliveries which included four fours.

Giving support were Werner Erkelens 24 with two fours and Paul Van Meekeren with 22 with a four and a six. Bhavga Thaker (2-22), Harrison Ambani (2-25) and Kush Gorshia (2-32) had two wickets apiece.

In reply, Kenya laboured to 112 all out in 44.2 overs, with their stand-out player in the series Irfan Karim scoring an even 50 off 103 balls with three fours and one six.

The Kenyans were undermined by medium-pacer Nick Wories who grabbed five wickets for 12 runs. Worries who captured the ‘Man of the Match’ award received good support from Zachery Van Baren (2-30) and Paul Van Meek (2-55).

Today, Ireland will meet the Americas Developmental team in the play-off for fifth and sixth place, at Shaw Park.

Summarised Scores

AT SHAW PARK: Holland 172-9 (50 overs) (Stefan Ekelmans 51, Paul Van Meekeren 22, Werner Erkelens 24, Bhavga Thaker 2-22, Harrison Ambani 2-25, Kush Gorshia 2-32) v Kenya 112 (44.2 overs) (Irfan Karim 50, Nick Wories 5-12, Zachery Van Baren 2-30, Paul Van Meekeren 2-55). Holland won by 60 runs. Nick Wories (MoM).

Courts furnish Inter-Zone series with $55,000

COURTS (Trinidad) Limited has pumped $55,000 for the 2008 T&T Cricket Board Inter-Zone Series.

The official handing over ceremony took place yesterday at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva, ahead of the opening round fixture between Central and South-East.

This is the Courts’ 15th year of sponsorship and the organisation came in for high praises from the board’s CEO and General Secretary, Forbes Persaud.

A holder of a national award for his contribution as an educator and sports administrator, Persaud thanked the management of Courts for their effort in promoting sports.

“Through this Inter-Zone series several unknown talents have emerged, and Courts must be given credit for their vision in sponsoring this tournament,” Persaud noted.

Managing Director of Courts, Errol Le Blanc said that his organisation this sponsorship as an important aspect in promoting sport in this country.

“This sponsorship is an important aspect of sport, to the development of young people in communities, healthy lifestyles, entertainment and recreation using the energy in a positive way.

And most important, hard work and discipline is necessary to success in the future endeavours in all sports,” Le Blanc stated.

SOUTH ZONAL AND DISTRICT COUNCIL

T&TEC crowned South champions

T&TEC has emerged champions of the T&TCricket Board’s South Zonal Division Two championship, after crushing Independence last Sunday. The team in their electrifying yellow played unbeaten through out the tournament. They produced a high level of discipline and character in their games. The team finished the competition with 84 points.

T&TEC journeyed to Scott’s Road at Penal Rock Road to come up against the Independence Sports Club. With a large crowd at hand, the youthful TTEC had first strike and tallied 271, with the main contributor being national player Andre Brown 65, 48 and 34 from former national under 19 players Azurdeen Mohammed and Visham Ramroop respectively, 48 from Keron Roberts and 35 not out from former National under-17 player Marlon Brecino.

Independence lost two quick wickets with only eight runs on the board, and were eventually bowled out for 77. Captain Mervyn Richardson five for 16, Asked to follow on, they managed 127, with former national under - 19 player Kerwin Mohammed taking two for 22 and Premdath Persad two for 30. T&TEC won by an innings and 67 runs.

Witnessing match were T& TEC Chairman Devanand Ramlal, Area Manager Kelvin Ramsook along with a large number of employees and retirees. Ramlal response to the team was “as a youthful team you all displayed a lot of passion for the game and pledged T&TEC’s continued support to the league and the game as a whole.”

“Today, I am proud of the technical staff, the team captain, the manager Lester Lal, president of T&TEC South Sports Club, Peter Mohan, all players, supporters, and the T&TEC Management for the professionalism and execution in this venture,” Ramlal said.

The T& TEC team now focuses on the 20/20 competition due to start in one week. This 20/20 is sponsored by T&TEC.

Summarised scores

T&TEC 271 – A.Brown 65, K.Roberts 43, V. Ramroop 34, A. Mohammed 48, M. Brecino 35 n.o. R. Seetaram 4/73, N.Narine 2/40

Independence - 77 & 127- N. Narine 25, K. Jaikaran 24 & 47 n.o. K. Bally 22, M. Richardson 5/16 & 1/8, V. Ramroop 2/20 & 1/37, P. Persad 1/16 & 2/30, K. Mohammed 2/22.