By Sham Ali
(Celebrating 28th Anniversary). Cosmos, after securing two comfortable victories, will be all fueled up for the last round as the Metropolitan Cricket League Challenge Cup competition heats up. A win for cosmos will secure a spot for them in the playoffs on the top of the points table in the Western Conference while the second place team will be decided at the end of the Sundays match among three keen contenders in Mid Island, Villagers and River Valley.
Marlon Persaud. Photo by Shiek Mohamed
Cosmos, the MCL two times Challenge Cup Champions, will be at full strength leading into the playoffs with Marlon Persaud back from his U19 games, and vice captain Kevin Darlington will be back into the squad upon his return from Italy where he is on duty with the United States National team that is currently playing some good cricket and creating its own history. Cosmos captain Dixeth Palmer is confident that his team will be prepared for the challenge; however, an upset of Cosmos by River Valley, who is on a high presently, could send the points table in digital chaos on net run rate tabulation and bonus points gained for the two spots in the western conference.
Meanwhile, Mid Island and Villagers hold their destiny in their own hands when they teamed up against each other on Sunday with either team looking for the win to secure a spot in the playoffs. In the Eastern Conference, Progressive, the MCL 2010 RR Champions, and Westbury will be looking forward to each other’s company when the meet at Westbury high school after their early battle in the RR Final. The encounter promises to be a warm welcome for the champions Progressive at Westbury’s home turf.
It will be an interesting last round of games as the season trickles down. Meanwhile in Division2, Lions and Staten Island have ensured their promotion to division1 in 2011 when they secured victories over Frank Parsons and Englewood respectively last Sunday, and will battle each other for the MCL Round Robin Championship on Sunday at Canarsie Park.