2010 Season Off To A Fast Start

By James Persaud
On a bright sunny early spring Sunday, a day that was perfect to start the new season. The teams took the field with all these new uniform and many who are trying to follow the pattern of the IPL with names and colorful clothing. It was beautiful and fit just right for this time of the year as the colors reflects on the green grass. For the game itself it seems as though many of the players never left the ball fields, telling from the score books everyone was ready to play ball.

Many teams was off to a fast start by securing big victory early while a few teams already had some niches with their players and finding a full team. If you were looking for some real excitement in softball cricket last Sunday, well Brooklyn was the place to be. In the game between Essequibo XI and Ranchers, Carlos Johnson knock the first century of the season and possible the fastest hundred in softball cricket. Johnson was on fire as he shows no respect to any of the bowlers he faced. He struck 13 sixes and 7 fours in a total of 123 runs not out. It was an amazing innings for Johnson this early in the season as the ball raced to the boundary and 106 runs out of 123 came via boundaries.

Over on the other side of Brooklyn, Bhola Phalad was doing his damage with the ball for United Star against Titans. Bhola was once again in dominating form striking 6 times and finish with figures of six wickets for 7 runs. Bhola was unplayable as he struck the stumps four times and two victims went caught out. Back in Queens, Mafia had the highest score in a game on opening day against Untouchables. While Phantom and Triumph played a seesaw game, Phantom won the toss and took the crease and lost their first wicket with the very first delivery of the game as both batsmen was left standing at the batting end. Phantom never really recovers and kept on losing wickets and was all out for a mere 82 runs.

When Triumph took their turn at the crease, the Phantom players was very confident and was looking to run through the Triumph batting line up. The first deliver from Dave Singh to Vishnu, he tickles it to the gully position and called for a run and the return to the keeper found Compton well short of his crease. Triumph find runs very hard to come against the bowling of Dave and Javid, as they continue to lose wicket. But some very responsible batting from Boodram who batted late in the order saw the game home with one wicket to spare.

Over at Baisley Park, the new looked Assassins was doing battle with Cavaliers, Assassins took first strike and put 197 on the board with their new sign ups Brian Manniram and Ravi Balli top scoring. Cavaliers came up short with 135 runs for 8 wickets before their allotted overs end. Legend dominate T. Bros Superstar in what was likely the shortest game of the day, as the game end in about 90 minutes. Another exciting game was between Vipers and Falcons, both teams with very young players. This game was high scoring with many big hits but in the end Falcons was victorious.

The new United Brothers out played Lions in a close game, while Ravens destroyed the Lions second team (Lions B). Buccaneers had no trouble knocking off Cricket International for their first victory while Rising Sun did the same to the Better Hope second team (Better Hope B). Sunrise beat the New York All-Star and Country Boys stepping down in division squeak by New Jersey for a victory.

There were plenty of excitements on the first day of the new season and the prognosis is very high for a big softball cricket season. With the NYSCL midsummer classic Independence and Legends Cup tournaments coming up, already the buzz is in the air.

Cavaliers Fall To Assassins In Season Opener
By Vick Lall
Assassins kicked off the 2010 season by defeating Cavaliers CC by 63 runs. Cavaliers won the toss and inserted Assassins to take first strike, hoping to dismiss them for a reasonable total, but Assassins rattled up an imposing 197 all out. Assassins have revamped their side from last year by including four new players that was on show against Cavaliers. The players are Ravi Ballie, Frankie Bachu, R.Persaud and Brian Maniram.

Assassins openers Ravi Balli and Anand Singh got off to a quick start, posting 60 runs for the first wicket in 6 over’s. To stem the flow of runs, Earpalli introduced himself into the attack and had a double wicket over. Bowling the first delivery of his spell, he had Anand Singh caught in the deep for 17.

Three deliveries later, K. Bux was comprehensively beaten and bowled for 2. He then picked up the wickets of Brian and Vick. Earpalli finished with four wickets in his allotted five over’s. Rishi Singh accounted for M. Persaud caught at point for 2 and G. Chattergoon caught at short mid-off for 3 to a very good diving catch by Navin Sahadeo. Ravi Ballie batted sensibly for his 34, but failed to respond to a call from his partner and was run out from a direct hit. However, Cavaliers spilled 5 catches and their lapses in the field cost them dearly in the end.

Both, Brian and Eon were dropped twice before they had made any significant contribution to their teams’ total. In the end, both batsmen made Cavaliers paid for their errors and their partnership was the difference in helping Assassins setting an imposing target. Brian batted aggressively for his 49, while Eon was in his usual destructive mood scoring a quick fire 33. Frankie was left not out 14 when last man, Navin Narine was out caught trying to clear mid-off for 2.

Cavaliers started their run chase very cautiously against Assassins opening bowlers, led by the experience Navin Narine and G. Chattergoon. G. Chattergoon struck first for Assassins removing Ravi Sahadeo for 13, which brought Jadjesh Arjune and Earpalli Sahadeo, two senior pros together to build a partnership.

However, although the two were out there long enough to steady the innings and set a platform for the chase, they found it hard to pierce the field. Cavaliers formidable top order was handcuffed by some accurate and discipline bowling from all the Assassins bowlers. Amit Moonsammy picked up the dangerous Earpalli, caught on the mid-wicket boundary for 8 and Jadesh Arjune bowled for 17.

Rishi Singh was out flicking to deep-square leg and was well caught by Kaleem Bux for 3. While their chase seemed doomed to fail after four wickets fell in the first 13 over’s, Cavaliers will look back at the two phases where Assassins could have been restricted. With the asking-rate spiraling upwards, Cavaliers set about throwing the bat around and the inevitable indiscrete strokes had them bowled out for 134.

Assassins bowling were spot on and they showed a sense of urgency in their fielding, which clearly demonstrated that they were keen to win. Nothing exemplified the new-found spirit in their team more than the exuberance they displayed as the held on to every opportunity which came their way.

United Brothers Down Lions
By Vishal Singh
It was a tremendous start for the United Brothers Cricket Club taking on Lions last Sunday in the first match of the 2010 season. United Brother won the toss and decided to take the strike first, in doing so our opening batsman, Kelvin Gopaul did not hesitate to turn the heat up with a rapid 19 runs followed with marvelous batting performances from Ravin Gopaul 28 runs, Rudradath Durga 23 and Romel Sookhoo 28 runs. Captain Alvin Gopaul chipped in with 26 runs and Raj Singh 18.

United Brother was confident and knew that they were in a great position having a huge total of 179 runs for 9 wickets in their allotted 25 overs.

United Brothers took the field with a very defensive game plan to lock up the Lions in their Dens, and that’s exactly what Vice Captain, Vishal Singh did by casting a detrimental spell destroying the Lions, claiming 5 wickets for 12 runs and Alvin Gopaul with 3 wickets for 26 runs. Lions were down for 137 all out in 22 overs.

Falcons Rally To Beat Vipers
By Navin Bipat
Falcons took on the new Vipers team in the season opener and were victorious in a keenly contested match. This match was played at Bay Water Park in the Rockaways. The Falcons skipper won the toss and chooses to bat. We had a shaky start losing some quick wickets. Azam Khan retaliated with some aggressive pounding at the Vipers team for a sound knock of 28 runs after he was bowled by G. Hulabasie.

Chris Bachu and Vick Ramnarine recovered the Falcons team with a good partnership for  well over 100 runs. Bachu was out caught off A. Dhanraj for 29 runs. Captain Navin Bipat came in with a mission to secure a high target for the opposing team. He let his bat do the talking and made a quick 20 runs not out. Vick Ramnarine made a well deserve 55 runs not out despite his pains and suffering. Falcons made 167 in the allotted 25 overs losing 4 wickets.

Vipers had a really good start. They were well over 40 runs when they lost their first wicket. After that it was history. Falcons dismissed the Vipers team for 139. Vick Ramnarine and Navin Nauratan took 3 wickets each.

New Kids On The Block
By Prame Singh
The young and talented Brooklyn Boys Cricket Club made a brave move from another league to the NYSCL league. As they acquired former 2009 Batting Champ, Former Leading wickets taker Bobby Bhadrasain and runner-up runs machine Baio Kalika. It was a very smooth transition playing their first game at the lovely park in Queens.

After winning the flip of the coin, BK Boys decided to give Port Mourtant Youth the first crack of the bat. At the end of the first half, BK Boys were able to hold off Port Mourtant Youth to the score of 39 runs. Port Mourtant Youth were able to battle the tough defense and scored a total of 112 runs while losing six wickets.

Brooklyn Boys sent Walter & Vick to better 112 to claim their first victory. After a partnership of 25 runs, Vick was sent back to the stands while Prame Singh made his debut with his new club wrapping a partnership of 52 run with Walter.

Walter Sankar scored a fancy, speedy and a game winning 44 runs while Prame Singh chipped in with 26 and Feroz Hoosain 11 runs not-out, pulling the victory away in a very comfortable fashion. Feroz Hoosain and Prame Singh picked up 2 wickets each while Sheek Sankar and Bobby Bhadrasain a wicket a piece. Strike bowler Anil Kisson bowled extremely well as he went 5 over for only 11 runs. Brooklyn Boys are anxious and are looking forward to game two next week.

Other Match Summary:
Division IA Premier
Assassins Vs Cavaliers
Assassins 197 all out
Brian Manniram 49, R. Balli 32, E. Ellis 32
E. Sahadeo 4-31, R. Singh 2-27, V. Lall 2-38
Cavaliers 135 for 8
Seelall 23, Arjune 17
K. Bux 3-5, A. Moonsammy 2-27

United Star Vs Titans
United Star 176 all out
Amar Singh 39, Bobby Pahalad 19, I. Bhagwandin 19
B. Hiralall 3-29, I. Ally 2-19
Titans 93 all out
P. Ramkissoon 28
Bhola Pahalad 6-7, R. Ivan 2-14

Division IB
Wolfpack Vs Better Hope
Wolfpack 150 for 5
K. Ramcharran 50, D. Outar 21
R. Rajpaul 2-19
Better Hope 152 for 7
M. Mahabir 28, K. Sanichar 26
Abdool Deen 3-33, A. Mowla 2-24

Super Chargers Vs Wildfire
Super Chargers 181 all out
N. Singh 91, A. Alli 24
V. Singh 3-22, L. Singh 2-19
Wildfire 76 all out
C. Singh 36
V. Singh 4-15, D. Singh 2-15

Triumph Vs Phantom
Phantom 82 all out
S. Narine 20, R. Kowchai 12
Boodram Deopaul 4-6, K. Balram 2-22
Triumph 84 for 9
R. Lumelino 21, R. Bindnarine 20, B. Deopaul 14
Dave Singh 3-12, J. Salim 2-19

Essequibo XI Vs Ranchers
Essequibo XI 221 for 4
Carlos Johnson 123 n/o, C. Beaton 51
D. Balli and D. Persaud 1 wkt each
Ranchers 158 all out
P. Paul 53, T. Thakur 43
C. Beaton 5-20, L. Sinclair 3-21

Division IIA
Volcano Vs Flashers
Flashers 170 for 4
R. Narayan 56, Rocco 53
R. Gangaram 2-26
Volcano 124 all out
D. Jitlal 32, S. Ali 14
Kumar 5-13, R. Narayan 3-21

Unity Vs Invaders
Unity 121 all out
D. Sanichara 28
W. Valladares 4-15
Invaders 122 for 8
G. Valladares 44
T. Beaton 3-18, M. Vishnu 2-20, D. Sanichara 2-25

United Brothers Vs Lions
United Brothers 179 for 9
R. Gopaul 28, R. Sookhoo 28, A. Gopaul 26
T. Hardial 3-28
Lions 137 all out
K. Hardial 29, S. Killwan 23, A. Singh 22
V. Singh 5-12, A. Gopaul 3-26

Division IIB
Young Brothers Vs Young Warriors
Young Warriors 111 all out
A. Gobind 32, D. Singh 20
C. Roopnarine 6-16
Young Brothers 116 for 1
V. Gunga 44
J. Persaud 1-22

Caribbean Boys Vs Crown XI
Caribbean Boys 112 all out
Frankie 26, Richard 16
Sonna 2-20, R. gafoor 2-13, Alvin 2-8
Crown XI 113 for 2
R. ally 47, D. Singh 22 n/o
Roy and Richard 1 wkt each

Falcons Vs Vipers
Falcons 167 for 4
Vivk Ramnarine 55 n/o, C. Bachu 29, A. Khan 28
Vipers 139 all out
A. Dhanraj 32, A. Nandalal 28
Navin and Vivk 3 wkts each

Ravens Vs Lions B
Ravens 110 all out
A. Sukhdeo 23, T. Arjune 17, D. Bhikham 15
Ramsarran 3-14, Terry 2-16, R. Budhan 2-20
Lions B 49 all out
PK Singh 14
D. Bhikham 5-12, T. Arjune 1-5