National Cricket League Review
June 5th 2008

A cricket season to celebrate

PRAISES are being heaped on the various sponsors of the National Cricket League, for the positive role they are playing in developing the sport in T&T, and by extension, the Caribbean, during the just concluded 2008 local domestic season.

Among those singing praises was chairman of the NCL and executive member of the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB), Colin Borde.

The newly-appointed manager of the T&T cricket team, Borde said that history was made for the first time as Super League teams were included in the Carib Sunday League Limited Overs competition.

“A total of 183 games were played. This was a great opportunity to spread the 50-over cricket to all parts of the country and to expose some of the Super League players to the fans as well as the media.

“Tobago was not to be excluded as they were invited yet again for the third year, to compete in Trinidad. Tobago got to the round of the 16 and the quarter final of the Reserve Carib Sunday League, Three Super League clubs got to the round of 16, and nine Super League clubs got to round of 16 in the Reserve League competition,” Borde said.

Borde noted that the benefits of this exposure were that the Super League teams were exposed to a higher level of cricket, as well as a more disciplined approach to organisation and structure.

“The Super League teams equipped themselves very well in that regard. The tournament was ,as always very competitive and Merry Boys were the 2008 champs, Congratulations to Mr Rampersad and the Merry Boys players , back room staff as well as their loyal fans,” Borde added.

EASTERN CREDIT UNION (ECU) NATIONAL LEAGUE

The winner of the ECU championship was decided with the last ball of the series, with the FCB Clarke Road United needing four runs to steal the title, but the Penal team failed to achieve the feat, and in the process the championship was handed to Ceramic Merry Boys Sports.

This competition was highly competitive with four teams going into the last day of a four-month long tournament, all with the possibility of winning the coveted title of National ECU Division One Championship.

Borde said that this competition was blessed with great weather as well as great cricket. “We saw the emergence of several players such as Deepak Kumar (Aranguez), Rishi Bachan (Power Gen), Imran Khan, Magnum Nanan (Alescon Comets), Kevon Cooper, Justin Guillen, Daron Crickshank(QPCC), Dale Teelucksingh (Clarke Road), William Perkins , Kareem Jumadeen (Wanderers).

“And Kjorn Ottley, Aron alfred, Yannick Cariah (Preysal ), Marlon Richards of Division Two winners Moosai Sports Club are emerging youngsters to look at,” Borde added. And marketing manager of ECU, Nataki Kerr said that her organisation is extremely happy to have partnered with the TTCB in the sponsorship of the National Cricket League and more importantly in spreading the game throughout the country.

“2008 marked the second year of ECU’s sponsorship of the National Cricket League. “It was another successful year and Eastern was privileged to enter into partnership with the TTCB. We once again outfitted match referees and umpires as well as gave the top players in each round of competition a financial start with accounts at Eastern Credit Union.

“This year in particular we observed the presence of many young players from the various teams. Eastern has at its core a keen interest in the development of youth and this sponsorship has only strengthened this interest.

“We look forward to a continued beneficial relationship with the TTCB,” Kerr stated.

Carib 20/20 Series

In the Carib 20/20 Series, 93 matches were played. The Super League teams were again very competitive with four clubs reaching the round of 16. Tobago was included for the first time at the expense of the Police team, who unfortunately had to wirthdraw from all competitive cricket for the year 2008 for national security reasons.

The competition was extremely competitive and once again provided some fireworks and entertainment for all.

Clico Preysal were the victors for the the third year running, to stamp their authority on the competition.

“We at the TTCB would like to thank all of the stakeholders for the continued support toward the development of the game of cricket. The fans for their loyalty to their teams, the media for the professional and committed coverage that is so important, the clubs for their enthusuastic participation, the players for their discipline, the umpires for their tireless work and to the parents, who have continued to come out to support their kids and teams,” Borde further stated.

Winners

Eastern Credit Union National Cricket League Final Standings and Incentives

Division One - Merry Boys 114 points ($60,000), PowerGen 111 ($30,000, Queen’s Park 108 ($15,000), Clarke Road 107 ($10,000), Comets 88 ($5,000), Preysal 69 ($4,000), Wanderers 65 ($3,000), Munroe Road 41 ($2,000).

Division Two - Not yet official because of several protests.

Carib 20/20 Series

Champion - Clico Preysal Sports - $45,000
Runner-up - W Connection Wanderers - $28,000

Carib Sunday League

Champion - Ceramic Merry Boys Sports - $55,000
Runner-up - W Connection Wanderers - $30,000.