Liberty SC Ousted By All-Round Sanford And Big Apple

Liberty Sports Club that took on Big Apple in the EACA semi-final.

EACA Power-40 Tournament Semi-Final
Liberty Sports Club’s 2014 Eastern American Cricket Association 40 over season was brought to an end by a dominant all round performance by former West Indies Test player, Adam Sanford. Playing for Big Apple Cricket Club (BACC), Sanford blasted a quick fire 64 and returned to pick up 5 for 20 to lead his team to a commanding 102 runs victory and into the tournament’s championship match.

An all round performance from former Windies player Adam Sanford ensure Big Apple beat Liberty SC to reach the final. Photos Shem Rodney

BACC batting first started resolutely after losing Tyrell Datt early to Terrence Madramootoo. Windward Islands national player Donwell Hector and former Guyana U-19 player Zaheer Saffie consolidated to add 58 for the 2nd wicket before Hector was trapped leg before to Leon Mohabir. Saffie would fall 2 overs later to the same bowler.

Travis Ross and Clain Williams had short stays at the crease before they fell to Javed Shakoor and Vijendra Singh respectively. #TheBlueNation went into the 2nd water break having restricted BACC to 105 for 5 after 27.3 overs.

Returning from the break and entering into the batting power play the LSC bowlers failed to press home the advantage, however. Adam Sanford welcomed some juicy full tosses and indiscipline bowling served up to him. He found the boundary 9 times and cleared it twice to bring up 64 in his short 11 over stay at the crease. His fast bowling partner, Troy Dudnauth also took advantage of the loose bowling also clearing the ropes at 150 & Rockaway 4 times in his knock of 45.

At the fall of Sanford’s wicket in the 37thover,  out to a well-judged caught and bowl by Francis Mendonca, the BACC inning quickly ended 4 balls before the 40th over with the score on 228.

Mohabir and Carmichael were the pick of the LSC bowling with 2 & 1 for 29 respectively off their 8 overs with 1 maiden each. Mendonca finished with 2 wickets while Shakoor, Singh and Madramootoo picked up 1 each.

In much of the same vein as 2 weeks earlier when LSC successfully chased down their target against the same team, the boys in blue began cautiously. Bose Persaud fell early but Dilly Khillawan (29) and Altaaf Habibulla (12) looked to rebuild in a 33 runs partnership. The fall of Khillawan would spark a top order collapse with BACC’s skipper, Saffie, being the primary wicket taker. Saffie removed Khillawan, Habibulla and Carmichael in a short span of play to leave LSC at 77 for 4 in the 22nd over.

Troy Dudnauth also produced a top performance for Big Apple.

The previous game’s hero, Francis Mendonca, and Madramootoo put on 22 for the 5th wicket before Sanford was introduced into the attack. The imposing fast bowler made good use of the bounce on the wicket and generated pace which would result in Mendonca and his skipper, Danesh Deonarain’s, stumps being knocked over in successive deliveries in the 26th over.

Sanford would go on to complete his 5 wicket haul for just 20 runs as he wrapped up the young LSC tail. Singh struck 3 fours amidst the fall of wickets to finish unbeaten on 17 before the inning folded for 126.

Supporting Sanford, Saffie picked up 3 for 18 off 6 overs, Dudnauth 1 for 22 off 6 overs and Balram 1 for 29 off 7 overs.

The loss by the GMA Enterprise sponsored Liberty Sports Club eliminates them from the 2014 EACA 40 over completion. The team enjoyed at 9 and 4 run in the regular season to earn its first EACA Semi-Final appearance after finishing 10th in the league last year. The club now moves on to competing in the T20 leg of the season which starts September 21st.

BACC will go on to play Atlantis CC in the final of the tournament slated for Sunday, September 14th at the same ground.

The 2014 Liberty Sports Club is sponsored by GMA Enterprise, located on 122nd St & Liberty Ave.  The please visit their website www.gmaenterprise.com to support our sponsor. Follow the progress of Liberty Sports Club and join #TheBlueNation via facebook (facebook.com/LibertyCricketClubb), Twitter (@LibertySportsC) & Instagram (@LibertySportsC)