LOCAL CRICKET ROUND-UP
May 24th 2008

Hillview lifts Secondary Schools U-14 title

HILLVIEW College of Tunapuna lifted the National Under - 14 title in the PowerGen Secondary Schools Cricket League competition when they defeated Barrackpore Secondary Comprehensive in a close encounter at the Inshan Ali Park in Preysal on Wednesday.

Hillview did so getting home by eleven runs with one over to spare.

Hillview batted first and amassed the challenging total of 186 for seven of the allotted 35 overs with Anthony Simmons, nephew of national player Lendl Simmons, the top scorer with a solid knock of 44.

Simmons was well supported by skipper Antonio Alleyne (43) and Brandon Ramdial (37).

The most successful bowler for Barrackpore was Keron Kanhai with two for 33.

In reply. Barrackpore looked well on course with Akash Ramjitsingh (38) and Dennis Nanlal (29) paving the way for victory for the ‘Southern’ school. But after their departure the rest of the batsmen offered very little resistance against some good bowling from the ‘Easterners’ attack, spearheaded by Shakeel Katwaroo and Alleyne, before their inning folded. Katwaroo picked up three for 35 and Alleyne two for 37.

Alleyne for his fine all round performance was named ‘Man of the Match’, while Katwaroo claimed the best bowler award. Simmons copped the best batsman prize, while Ramjitsingh was adjudged the best fieldsman. This was the first time in twenty four years that Hillview has won a national title in the SSCL competitions.

Principal of Hillview College, Leslie Mahase, who along with other teachers and parents were on hand to witness the game were ecstatic over the victory and dedicated the title in honour of the former school Principal Richard Kokaram who passed away earlier this year.

“I am really excited and ecstatic over this victory. I feel that this victory should be dedicated to Mr Kokaram who devoted a lot of time and energy not just to cricket but to sport in general since he always believed in the all round development of young people. He would have been a very proud man today.” Mahase stated.

However, Mahase also showered accolades on his coach Richard Kelly, father of national cricketer Richard, for his dedicated and committed support to the team as well as other members of staff.

“I must salute Kelly for his very loyal, dedicated and committed support that he has been giving to our cricketers at Hillview College . Coaches like Kelly are very hard to find today,” stated Mahase.

A very modest Kelly praised his team for being consistent throughout the season and was not surprised at the victory.

“Throughout the season the boys have been playing well and have displayed very good team spirit and together with their talent they were able to do it. I must also give credit to the principal and other teachers connected to the team for their cooperation and support which assisted in our success,” said Kelly.

Forbes Persaud, CEO and General Secretary of the T&T Cricket Board was on hand to witness the match and presented the awards at the short presentation ceremony at the end of the game.

NOEL GUILLEN MEMORIAL UNDER-21 COMPETITION

Bravo, Pollard guide Queen’s Park to U-21 semis

DEFENDING champions Queen’s Park Cricket Club under half-centuries from senior national players Darren Bravo and Kieron Pollard surged into the semifinals of the Noel Guillen Memorial Under-21competition, when they defeated Aleson Comets by 101-run in a quarterfinal match-up on Thursday.

The left-handed Bravo, younger brother of West Indies Test allrounder Dwayne Bravo notched an exciting 91 in 98 minutes, which was enriched with nine fours and two sixes, while the powerful Pollard hit a blistering 67 in 39 minutes with six fours and two sixes, as the ‘Parkites’ tallied a competitive 261 for five from the allotted 40 overs.

Bravo opened the batting with Keron Malchan (44) and gave their team team a solid foundation by posting 139 for the first wicket.

T&T youth spinner Kissoondath Magram was the leading bowler with two for 50.

In response, Comets were dismissed for 160 in 38 overs, with Shervon Sookhai being the leading scorer with a hard-fought 40.

Former T&T youth spinners Garette Boodhai (2-17) and Sunil Narine (2-39) were the top bowlers for Queen’s Park.

The ‘Parkites’ will meet W Connection Wanderers in one of the semis today at the Queen’s Park Oval, while PowerGen Sports and Moosai’s Sports will clash in the other semis at Syne Village in Penal, at 11.30 am.

The final is carded for tomorrow at the Queen’s Park Oval, from 10.30 am.

CENTRAL SUPER LEAGUE

Milton waits on Disciplinary Committee

IHSAN Milton Valley Boys Sports topped the standings after the completion of matches in the T&T Cricket Board Central Super League competition, but will have to wait a while if they are to be determined as champions.

Milton ended the tournament with 148 points, 22 more than Caldrac Sports Club, but according to top official of the Central Super League, Anil Kamal, there are no fewer than five protests before the Disciplinary Committee of the league.

“Roadstar Alico Esperanza has two protest against Ihsan Milton, HCL Caroni Savannah Road and CaldracClub has one against Brand Source Spoilers. These matters are in the disciplinary committee hands and would be heard in a couple of weeks so the points standing maybe subject to change together with the final placing of clubs,” Kamal stated.

Round seven results and points standing

Summarised scores

Black and White Calcutta 154 & 228 all out (Deonath Baksh 37 & 51, Timothy Sinanan 40, Shaun Ramdeen 54, Navin Mungaroo 4 for 62, A Lutchman 5 for 43) v HCL Caroni Savannah Road 146 & 217 for eight ( Ryan Jaipaul 69, Navin Mungroo 39, Matthew Sinanan 11 for 153) match drawn. B&W Calcutta 18 points, HCL Caroni Savannah 12.

Old Mac Agro Exchange 153 & 208 all out ( Mark Deyal 52 & 54 ,Maniram Jaglal 9 for 60 ) v Brand Source Spoilers 268 for 9 & 93 for 2 ( Param Rampersad 68n/o). Brand Source Spoilers won by 8 wkts. Spoilers 27 points, Old Mac Agro Exchange 7 .

Ihsan Milton 259 & 306 for 7 declared ( David Livinston 103, Deonarine Deyal 110 n.o., Faraz Mohammed 5 for 85) v Sheffield Sports 255 & 235 all out ( Prakash Satar 56, Sudesh Motilal 55, Noel Polliah 6 for 89). Ihsan Milton won outright. Milton 31 points, Sheffield Sports 12.

Caldrac Club 317 & 401 for 9 declared ( Azard Mohammed 153, Daniel St Clair 95, Krishna Deosaran 54, Avelano Bryce 3 for 95) v Roadstar Alico Esperanza 368 & 356 all out ( Junior Sadoo 211, Gavin Singh 91, Robert Mahabir 4 for 75 Javid Ramdhanie 3 for 60). Caldrac won outight. Caldrac 34 points, Roadstar Alico Esperanza 20.

Point standing after seven rounds of matches Ihsan Milton Valley Boys 148 points, Caldrac Club 126, Black & White Calcutta Sports 117, Brand Source Spoilers 114, Roadstar Alico Esperanza 102, HCL Caroni Savannah Road 99, Sheffield Sports 76, Old Mac Agro Exchange 47.

CENTRAL ZONAL AND DISTRICTS COUNCIL

Jack Warner semis on tomorrow

THE SEMIFINALS of the Austin ‘Jack’ Warner-sponsored Central Zone 40-0ver competition will take place tomorrow at venues in Central Trinidad, starting at 11,30 am.

A new champion will be crowned in this year’s series, as 2007 winners Roadstars Esperanza United did not participate in 2008 competition.

In one of the semis, Bank Village Sports will take on Caroni Conquerors at the Avidesh Samaroo Recreation Ground, while in the other match-up, Lange Park Sports and Perserverance Sports will battle at the Esmeralda Recreation Ground in Enterprise.

The winning team in the series will take home $5,000, while the runner-up will pocket $3,000.

The losing semifinalists will each collect $1,000.

TML/R KHAN TRADING NIGHT WINDBALL CRICKET

Endeavour, Nur E Islam clash in grand finale

DEFENDING champions Endeavour Jamaat will battle 2005 winners Nur e Islam in the final of the TML/R KHAN Trading Night Windball Cricket competition tonight at the TML Grounds, St Joseph, from 8.30 pm. The winner will take home the TML/R KHAN Challenge Trophy and a cash incentive of $5,000 plus other prizes.

The runner-up will pocket $2,000 plus a trophy and other prizes.

The teams registered convincing victories in last Saturday’semis, with Nur e Islam scoring a comfortable 44-run-win against Al Muqatiloon. In the other semifinal, Endeavour recorded a 45-run-win against ASJA Markaz.

Nur e Islam is the only unbeaten team in the tournament this season and is in good knick at the moment, but Endeavour Jamaat with national cricketers Imran Khan of Alescon Comets and Fazil Baksh of Munroe Road Sports will not want to surrender their crown to the 2005 winners.

Preceeding tonight’s final is a match between a media team against sponsors TML/R KHAN Trading Company from 6.30 pm.