Hustlers And Untouchables Advance As Sunrise, Next Generation, North Star And Wolfpack Complete Win

By James Persaud
Both Hustlers and Untouchables have played unbeaten after five rounds in the NYSCL 2011 25 Over Championship, sponsored by PK Real Estate, Loans and Mortgage Services. With these two teams already qualify; the rest of teams will be juggling for qualifying slots in the last two regular season matches.

Veteran all-rounder Peter Sookdeo.

The competition has gone well so far, and some new faces and teams have stuck a claim to playoffs spots. The last two rounds will have a deciding factor for many teams in all the divisions and groups.

While the two teams that have already qualified have played some very good cricket, the remaining two games can still determine where they are placed in the playoffs. The Hustlers players has not have a real test so far, their bowlers has been getting their fair share of work, while the their batting has not being given the chance to chase huge totals.

Last Sunday the two undefeated teams in group B, United Stars and Untouchables played and Untouchables won. But the Ravin Ivan led United Stars will rebound and they already have enough wins to make playoffs. I knew that the United Stars players were hoping to be the number one seed entering the playoffs.

Hustlers will face their biggest challenge when they take on Assassins before the playoffs; this game could well decide who hold onto the number one spot in that group. On like Hustlers, the new looks Untouchables has had a good run so far in the season. Both their batsmen and bowlers had their fair share of work. Once Untouchables is able to hold onto this core of players their season could be a very long and exciting one.

Assassins has played good cricket, but has not really dominate their space-but then again this is the Assassins and they know how to play when the big challenge arise.

As you look at the emerging teams who will be sticking claim to the top division, Sheffield has been playing very exciting cricket and putting up huge total. A team that could well be a brick wall for many of the others, who is vying for playoffs spot is Goodfellas.

Goodfellas is a team who took many pieces from other premier teams and was able to put out a good product. This team has equally good batting and bowling along with some good old time cricket knowledge.

Titans, Cavaliers and Liberty Knights will be hard pressed to making the playoffs; Liberty Knights has bowling but not enough batting. Titans and Cavaliers is hitting form at the right time and one might be able to pull through. Wildfire who has added some new players for the season is holding onto a strong position for playoffs, while Sunrise and Phantom will be looking to change this.

In division two a lot of new teams have emerge to sticking claim to playoffs. This division always plays exciting cricket as the teams tries to get to the higher divisions. The fifth round will decide for at least four teams who will qualify and the other will have to wait for the last round.

North Stars, Flasherz, Nationals, Renegade, Royal Challenger and East Coast XI, with a win in the fifth round could all secure a playoffs slot. The rest of the teams in this division will have to wait for the last round to do the same. This division has some very aggressive teams who are putting up over two hundred runs week after week.

In the last division all the teams will be looking to spoil the other team chances of making the playoffs. The only team in this division who has a clear lock on playoffs so far is Crown XI. So far this season Crown XI has been playing dominating cricket and last Sunday they were able to held onto Legends for a tie, in a very exciting and the first tie finish for the season.

Next Generation started the season slow, but for the last four weeks they have picked their game up. They along with Legends, Champions, Vipers, Young Brothers and Better Hope B could lock their playoffs spots with a win this Sunday.

In the qualifying rounds some teams will play good cricket one week and very poor the other, because there is always another game. In the playoffs teams would have to bring their best game from the start, there is no place for mistakes for three weeks. But there are teams with players who give that extra efforts and makes the big plays, in the big game.

This competition is schedule to finish before the league’s midsummer classic, the Independence Cup 2011. All the top players would be hoping to hit form before this time as the teams from Florida, Canada, NY Cricket Doctor, Guyana All Stars, NY Dream Team and the other top teams have all secure their spot for this Inter States tournament.

Also the NYSCL Legends Cup (over 45 years old) tournament will be played at the same time. NYSCL legends will be looking to continue their dominance in this competition. NY Dream Team will be hard pressed to repeat as the indication is that all the softball premier players will be here in New York for three days of exciting cricket.

Sunrise Team Efforts Dazzled Country Boys
By Morris Seecharan
The Sunrise team was determined to perform well against Country Boys in last Sunday’s game to boost their confidence. Winning the toss and batted Country Boys open with T. Fernandez and C. Jerreck as they faced Kalif Salim, who seem reluctant to allow runs as he had Fernandez popped back to the Keeper Wahab in the 1 st over with the score at 2. G. Leacock joined Jerreck and they looked confidence in building a partnership batting cautiously against Kalif and Somaru. Moving the ball around and picking up quick single was the strategy for these two batsmen. However, after a 28 runs partnership and the bowling change Ricky Deenu in his first over had Leacock caught brilliantly by Ryan leaping in the air at short mid on with the score at 30 in the 7th over.

Sunrise 2011 squad.

Shane Manbodh in his first over had G. Dow caught at short mid on by Deryck Basdeo in the 8th over. As Ricky came right back on his 2nd over and bowled Jerreck for 10 sending a strong message to County Boys with the score 40 for 4 in the 9th over. At this point Sunrise bowlers was stringent, and penetrating supported with solid defensive fielding.  Y. Giddings was joined by Ivor Chan, who dealt a breath a fresh for his team. Ivor lead the batting with Giddings as they took the score to 58 in the 13 over.

Although runs were hard to come Ivor stick around battling it out with Sunrise bowler. However, Stanly Lloyd playing his first game of the competition was introduced as the 5th bowler and break up the partnership having Giddings caught by Ryan at silly mid on with the score at 61 for 5 in 15th over. In his next delivery Stanly struck again bowled N. Tony for a duck. Kalif was introduction back in the attack and  Towler became his victim by clean bowl with score 74 for 7 in 18th overs.

Stanley in his 3rd over removed Ivor the only effective batsman in this game having him tied up and caught by Ryan with the leading score of 22; Right after in his 4th over Stanly bowled G. Towler for 1 in the 21st over with the score 87 for 7. Stanley who bowled immaculately set up the finishing touch to close out Country Boys as G. Towler was caught by young and talented Alex Hussein who took an astounding running catch a deep fine leg off a maiden over by Somaru to end Country Boy’s batting. Country Boy’s batsmen gave all effort to increase their score, but Stanley was the big obstacle destroying their batting as they were wrapped up for 93 in 23 over.

It was heartening for Sunrise to have Stanly back in the rotation as he lead Sunrise bowling attack taking 4 wickets for 15 runs in 4 overs. Followed by Kalif Salim who picked 2 for 15 in 5 overs; Shane Manbodh bowling figures read 5-0-15-1, Khemraj Somaru 4-1-14-1, Ricky Deenu 5-0-25-2.

Stanley Lloyd of Sunrise picked up 4 for 15.

In reply Sunrise was cautious to improve on their batting with Roopnarine Dayal and Ryan Ramjas leading the way. Dayal got over the mark with a four off of E. Chance. In the same manner Ryan got over the mark hitting a four to square leg off A. Towler. Together Dayal and Ryan displayed solid batting however Dayal blasted a stroke off Towler to short cover and was caught brilliantly with score at 22 in the 4th over. Wahab Hussein batting at number 3 joined Ryan and in the next over Ryan was caught at long on off the bowling of Y. Giddings. Khemraj Somaru joined Wahab who was anchoring down moving the ball around. Somaru looked like a rock hitting timely boundary building and important partnership with Wahab. Together it looks as if they will be enough to take care of Country Boys score.

Unfortunately in last deliver of the 13 over break Somaru played over a delivery form E. Chance and was bowled for 22 with the score at 65.

Wahab continued to show leadership in his batting was joined by Kalif Salim with a hot bat. Kalif wasted no time as he pounded Country boys bowling with boundaries and doubles. Kalif with his gutsy batting styled batting together with Wahab they reached the target runs needed for this win with the score 95 for 3 in 16th overs. Wahab batted responsible made an important 18run not out, as Kalif had a quick knock of 19 not out. It was very crucial win for Sunrise as this game reinforced many positives to this band of guys.

Mentionable bowling for Country boys is A. Towler 3-0-14-1, Y. Giddings 2.1-0-10-1, and E. Chance 4-0-23-1.

Next Generation Takes Two Straight
By Ragindra Dhaniram
Next generation beat Cricket International; Cricket International won the toss and decided to bat. They where bowl out for 86, D. White 37 and A. Hussein 12 where the top scorers. N. Seepersaud took 3 for 22, Azeez Mohamed 3 for 19 and S. Rampersaud 2 for 8.

Next Generation replied with 91 for 5 in 10 overs. S. Dhaniram blaze 19 in the first over then got out but the game was already set up for an easy victory. B. Panindranauth 28 not out, S. Dhaniram 19 and M. Maharaj 15 where the top scorers.

Jack got 2 for 15, R. Persaud and Abdool Dean took 1 wicket each.  With this win Next Generation record is now 4 wins and 1 loss.

North Star Shutdown Apollo XI
By Shawn Chedilall
Another triumphant win for North Star proving that they are an unstoppable team with the leadership of their captain Shawn Chedilall. North Star defeated Apollo XI; North Star is under New Management, out with the old and in with the new.

Apollo XI won the toss and asked North Star to bat first. Opening the batting for North Star was John DeBarros and Rohit Kowlessar. John open his innings with a superb six and set the tone for the rest of the game.

Rohit and John looked very comfortable batting against Apollo. But Rohit went for a drive and was caught behind by the keeper leaving the score at 36 for 1. Joining John at the crease was the captain Shawn Chedilall, who looked very determined to keep the score moving on.

However that was not the scenario at the ground for the Apollo bowlers, Shawn Chedilall was caught behind without scoring any runs leaving North Star at a devastating moment with a score of 47 for 2. John was out very shortly for a well played 33.

For a brief moment Apollo looked comfortable bowling against the two new batsmen Gavin Shivprashad and Nandlall Parsuram. However Gavin and Nandlall had other plans when the two of them started striking the ball to all parts of the ground. At the end of the 13th over North Star were 95 for the loss of 4 wickets.

Nandlall was out for a well played 31 as he was caught. Gavin also followed shortly for a well played 23. The rest of North Star batsmen managed to only put up 39 more runs as Apollo bowled them out in the 20th over leaving the score at 134 for all out. Bowling for Apollo was Rogie 3 for 27 and he was also supported by Navin 3 for 20.

Then it was North Star time to take the field. Leading the bowling for North Star was Bisal Hiralall, who took 1 for 8 runs in 5 overs. Paul Sookdeo took 4 for 15 runs in 5 overs. John DeBarros took 2 for 23 runs in 5 overs. Apollo was all out in the 21st over for 103 runs. After the game the captain Shawn Chedilall, congratulated the players for the well played game and to keep up the hard work.

Wolfpack Rebound To Win 3 Straight
By Brian Mohamed
In Sunday game versus Hillside, Wolfpack made 219 for 7 in their 25 over, with Zahir Bacchus blasting 79  and Anil Hargobin continues to dominate with the bat and for the second week straight scoring another half century (50) and T Ram (23).

Bowling for Hillside Bissoondail and Rasheed pickup two wickets each. In reply Hillside was bowled out for 200 in the last over after putting up a fight. R. Mohamed (34), A. Mohamed (35) and Byge (21). Bowling for Wolfpack   (3) wickets for Z Bacchus, (2) wickets each for Rudy Baichoolall and A Mowla.

Crown XI Tie With Legends On Mother’s Day
By Shaheed Behari
It was a beautiful day for cricket and many of the players brought their mom to the park to watch a day of cricket. Legends won the toss and send Crown XI to bat. The Legends bowlers did not allowed the Crown XI batsmen to get comfortable at the crease.

H. Azeez struck 36 for Crown XI.

Crown XI was bowled out for 97 runs in the 16th over. The main scorer for Crown XI was H. Azeez with 36 runs and Satrohan Persaud with 14. Bowling for Legends D. Jagnarine took 5 for 19 runs and C. Roopnarine had 3 for 30.

When Crown XI took the field their bowlers did not gave Legends any easy runs and as the batsman struggled their best batsman was run out for one run. The Crown XI bowlers took early control of the game and bowled out Legends for the same score as Crown XI 97 all out to tie the game.

Bowling for Crown XI, S. Ali had 2 for 20, A. Sakoor 3 for 25, H. Azeez and Raymond Williams took one wicket each.

25 Over Championship Fifth Week Match Summaries
Sunday May 8, 2011
Division I
Goodfellas defeat Liberty Knight
Goodfellas 191 for 9
N. Persaud 57, L. Ramnarine 50
Kenrick 3-35, Shawn 3-37, Andrew 2-20
Liberty Knight 135 all out
Kenrick 29, Ramnarine 18, Shawn 13
J. Ram 2-4, A. Kissoon 2-22

Wildfire defeat Phantom
Wildfire 200 for 8
Sunil 58, Vinod Singh 26, V. Singh 23
Harold 3-23, A. Doma 2-31
Phantom 162 all out
Harold 50, D. Boodhan 15, S. Singh 15
S. sawh 4-18, Vinod Singh 3-33

Untouchables defeat United Stars
Sunrise defeat Country Boys
Titans defeat Looney Tunes XI
Cavalier defeat Assassins
Hustlers defeat NY All Stars
Sheffield defeat New Horizon
Triumph defeat Horizon

Division IIA
Flasherz defeat Nationals
Nationals 91 all out
A. Ali 19, D. Ramsamooj 18, V. Samuel 13
V. Singh 5-17, C. Sookwah 2-14, Richard 2-15
Flasherz 93 for 4
Richard 43 n/o, Vick 12 n/o
V. Kolandwell 3-25

T Bros Superstars defeat Unpredictable
Unpredictable 51 all out
M. Dokie 15, A. Chaitram 10
Elvis 2-14, Sunil 2-15, A. Singh 2-19
T Bros Superstars 53 for 2
Balli 17 n/o, Suraj 15 n/o

Royal Challenger defeat Lions B
Royal Challenger 220 for 3
K. Persaud 68, E. Sookraj 47 n/o, E. Bissram 34, R. Parbu 29 n/o
D. Sumasar 2-20
Lions B 166 for 5
A. Singh 43, A. Sardeen 29, V. Latchman 28
Romel 2-28, A. Persaud, R. Parbu and E. Sookraj took 1 wkt each

East Coast XI defeat Soldier
Ranchers defeat Ozone XI
Wolfpack defeat Hillside
North Stars defeat Apollo XI
Renegade defeat Knight Rider
Invaders defeat Unity

Division IIB
Legends and Crown XI end in a tie
Crown XI 97 all out
H. Azeez 36, S. Persaud 14
D. Jagnarine 5-18, C. Roopnarine 3-30
Legends 97 all out
D. Velaidam 33, C. Roopnarine 13
R. Shakoor 3-24, S. Ali 2-20, R. Williams 2-2

Rising Sun defeat Caribbean Boys
Caribbean Boys 90 all out
Perry 21, Vishal 19, Roy 18
K. Goolcharan 3-20, R. Itwaru 2-13
Rising Sun 91 for 6
M. Somai 33, L. Ramsingh 20, R. Itwaru 19
Irshaad 4-26, Sunil 2-11

Falcons defeat Golden Stars
Golden Stars 117 all out
L. Holder 19, C. Mattar 18, D. Peters 18
Amid 3-6, N. Bipat 2-12, Safraz 2-24
Falcons 118 for 7
N. Bipat 23 n/o, Azam 21, V. Ramnarine 18, D. Singh 18
D. Peters 3-17, l. Sinclair 2-22

Buccaneers defeat Ravens
Buccaneers 141 for 9
Mahendra 40, Sundar 27, Vishal 18
Ivor 3-17, T. Arjun 2-15
Ravens 132 for 8
R. Bansi 27, Ivor 25, T. Arjun 12, Prem 12
Chand 2-21, Boysie 2-27

Queens United defeat Evolution
Evolution 69 all out
S. Ali 18, K. Persaud 11
P. Mohan 3-6
Queens United 70 for 3
M. Narine 17, J. Manabali 14
S. Singh 2-9

Vipers defeat Flasherz Square
Flasherz Square 74 all out
Ajay 22, Rajiv 11, Bai 11
H. Hulasie 5-12, M. Surujballi 3-5
Vipers 75 for 5
G. Narine 28, M. Surujballi 19
Ajay 2-10, Raj 1-10, Mario 1-12

Young Brothers defeat Young Warrior
Young Warriors 79 all out
G. Sarwan 16, R. Jaikaran 14
A. Ramoutar 5-24
Young Brothers 80 for 6
T. Dhanraj 19, A. Ramoutar 19
R. Jaikaran 3-12, J. Persaud 3-17

Next Generation defeat Cricket International
Champions defeat Survival