For the second consecutive week the Richmond Hill Liberty Cricket Club (RHLCC) boys had hearts pounding and anxiety to the max but managed to come out with a thrilling victory.
Following their narrow, 2-wicket win in their first 2019 Eastern American Cricket Association (EACA) match, #TheBlueNation once held their nerves to delivered a 1 wicket, 1 ball to spare victory over Everest/ACS at Lido Beach. Chasing 243 it was left up to Leon Mohabir, the hero from game one, and Jamiel Jackman at the crease after a shaky finish to an otherwise steady chase.
The equation was 8 runs to get off 6 balls, Jackman on strike, the first ball dot leaving 8 to get off 5 balls… But before it got to that the day started with Everest/ACS winning the toss and taking first strike in bright sunshine. They posted a steady opening partnership before Terrence Madramootoo struck twice to remove opener Wasim Haslim (25) and number three, Kevin Nazeer (5) in quick succession. Mohabir entered the attack and immediately removed Rabindra Rooplall (35) before a 135 runs fifth wicket partnership between Amarnauth Persaud (50) and Deveshwari Prashad (96). The Persaud and Prashad combination took advantage of the great batting conditions and made the RHLCC bowling and fielding appear ordinary in their stand. Deveshwari took a particular liking to the attack striking nine 6’s and four 4’s to fall just short of a century.
Amarnauth was the more patient of the two hitting four boundaries in his 69 ball half-century. Mohabir returned to quickly end the partnership, claiming both batsmen. The remaining E/ACS batsmen were kept in check by the SVC Sawh Voltcom Construction sponsored RHLCC to restrict the score to 242 for 6 at the end of 40 overs. Mohabir finished with 4 wickets for 30 runs off of his 8-over allotment while Madramootoo picked up 2 wickets for 46 runs in his 8 overs.
Skipper Dominique Rikhi and Dino Chooweenam got the chase off to a racing start posting 44 in 6 overs before Chooweenam was run out. Henry joined his captain at the crease and the pair kept the momentum going. Rikhi was looking dangerous, getting to his half-century in just 34 balls. He struck 2 boundaries and five 6’s before he returned a catch to bowler Alix Hussain. Henry was joined by Azeemuddin Khan and they took the score from 114 to 153 when Henry was out bowled for 37. Madramootoo joined the chase in the 25th over with 90 runs needed off the last 16 overs. Azeemuddin scored 34 before top edging a pull shot 4 overs later with the score on 179.
Five wickets down quickly turned to 8 wickets down in the 36th over but Madramootoo whas still holding strong. He would score 37 off 38 balls with three 4’s and a maximum by the time the 38th over came around and 14 runs needed off 15 balls. Mohabir meanwhile, coming in at number 9, had quietly lend handsome support to Madramootoo and for the second consecutive week it was all eyes on Mohabir after he lost his partner. Together with his new partner, Jackman, the partnership saw the chase to the last over needing 8 runs off of 6 balls with Jackman on strike.
The final over started with a dot ball, the second ball was dug in short by the bowler and Jackman rocked onto the back foot and deposited a maximum over deep square-leg. The tense RHLCC camp erupted with 2 runs to get off of the remaining four balls. The third ball was again short of a length but this time a miss-timed pull lobbed it in the air towards square leg. The fielder scampered towards the ball with arms outstretched but it was well out of reach as Jackman and Mohabir cruised through for the tying run. A dot ball followed before Mohabir stylishly cut away the 5th ball for four to bring home the win for the Century 21 Professional Realty sponsored team.
RHLCC continue their 2019 EACA 40 Overs tournament this Sunday with a home game against MMZ Cricket Club NY at The Cricket Cage.
The 2019 Liberty Sports Club Inc. is based in Queens, New York and is locally sponsored by SVC Sawh Voltcomm, Century 21 Professional at 119-17 Rockaway Blvd, B & R Sheet Metal Corp, Rockaway Group of Companies, EBS, LLC and Cricket Helmet Covers, Inc. The club has open membership to all who are interested. Reach out to us via our social media sites by searching ‘Richmond Hill Liberty Cricket Club’ or @LibertySportsC and www.LibertySportsClub.org.