Mendonca Fifer, Half Tons From Staple And Adams Enable Villagers Pacesetters To Set The Pace

By Dervon Wallace
Metropolitan Cricket League
Villagers Pacesetters Sports Athletics Club continued on their record run in 2013 New York Metropolitan Cricket League (NYMCL) competitions making it 15 wins in as many games with a 123 runs victory over Staten Island Cricket Club (SICC) as action continued in the Roy Sweeney Challenge Cup at the home of SICC the historic Walker Park on Sunday August 18, 2013.

George Adams after his pulsating batting.

Villagers captain Cliff Roye won the toss and opted to bat first on a cool afternoon on a ground that have been graced by the likes of  Sir “The Don” Bradman, Sir Everton Weeks, Sir Garfield Sobers, Allan Border and Geoffrey Boycott to name a few against the oldest cricket club in America that was formed in 1772. Present was SICC 82 years old club President Clarence Modeste reminding the visitors of some of the park rules and reminiscing with friends about his beloved club that he represent as a player for over 50 years.

Opening the innings for Villagers was Richard Staple and former English County player 60 years old Elder statesman Charles “Give Thanks” Walker. They shared in a 167 runs partnership from 23 overs, in 117 minutes with the right handed Staple been the more dominant while left-handed Walker played a good supporting role. Walker was the first to go seeming tired after huffing and puffing when required to run a quick single or the occasional double decided he would be better served hitting boundaries tried to go over the top but succeed in holding out to long-on off M. Amisegra bowling for 44 (64 balls 4×4). With 7 overs left the hard hitting George Adams was promoted to number 3 to do some power hitting. Staple who by now was well set and looking for a big one agonizingly fell for 98 off  Majid Arab bowling to a spectacular diving catch by Amisegra diving low to his right on the deep mid-wicket fence as Staple was getting ready to celebrate. Staple delighted the crowd for 127 minutes facing 79 balls with 12×4 and 4×6.

Captain Roye join Adams who looked in devastating mood, Roye went for 10 after getting an unplayable delivery from I Zahoor that up rooted his mid stump to make it 210 for 3 inside the 27th over. It was now time for another Adams show as he been brutal in his last two innings and the question was can he again come up trumps. It was 232 at the start of the last over with Adams facing Captain Glen Shangie who embarrassed him with a first ball duck the last time both teams met. It was revenge for Adams as he took Shangie to the cleaners striking him for two pulsating 4’s and three ponderous 6’s one of which went a few meters over a house located at an estimated 100 meters from the popping crease. At the end of 30 overs it was 264 for 3 with Adams unbeaten on a slash bustling 62 (23 balls 6×4 5×6) and Marvin Simpson 3 from 9 balls.

Bowling for Staten Island: Ibrahim Zahoor 1 for 42 from 6 overs, D. Ganesh 0 for 22 from 3 overs, Kobie Upoli 0 for 35 from 4 overs, Shangie 0 for 60 from 6 overs, Amisegra 1 for 35 from 6 overs and Arab 1 for 59 from 5 overs.

Cuthbert Mendonca after his spell of 5 for 12.

In their reply Staten Island didn’t threaten the target and were dismissed for 141 which could have been worst haven’t it been for a 75 runs 6 wicket partnership between Upoli and number 7 batsman Matthew Lamont after they slump to 41 for 5 from 12 overs. Upoli top score with 47 (41 balls 7×4 2×6) before he was caught by Staple off the second ball by Cuthbert Mendonca who was belated introduce into the attacked. The chubby Lamont made 32(28 balls 6×4) taking a liking to young leg spinner Romoy Ricketts cutting him no fewer than 4 times to the backward point boundary before he was cleaned bowled by the impressive Mendonca. All-rounder Amisegra with 12 was the only other batsman to get into double figures.

Bowling for Villagers, Adams 1 for 12 from 5 overs, Talisman Gordon 3 for 17 from 6 overs, Staple 0 for 12 from 2 overs, Ewart Gayle 1 for 38 from 4 overs, Ricketts 0 for 35 from 3 overs, Andre Hooper 0 for 14 from 4 overs and Mendonca 5 for 12 from 4.3 overs

Final score Villagers 264 for 3 from 30 overs and Staten Island 141 all out from 28.3 overs.