By James Persaud
It was exactly one year ago when NYSCL Legends meet Better Hope in the 2011 Legends Cup finals. This time it was the other team from Better Hope, it was the Harry Rajpaul’s led Better Hope Legacy playing NYSCL Legends for the 2012 championship.
Victorious New York Softball Cricket League Legends.
It was a beautiful Sunday morning a little on the hot side, but who is to complain-this is cricket weather, play ball and play ball they did. The Legends Cup was created for the more mature players who are 45 years or older, and over the years the competition amongst the players has being very high.
Better Hope Legacy won the toss and stayed with an old Guyana saying, when you win toss in softball cricket you must bat. The two teams were equally matched, with Better Hope Legacy having a little advantage since they qualify Saturday morning for the final and had the rest of the day off. NYSCL Legends played two games on Saturday and only qualify after beating Guyana Floodlight on Saturday afternoon.
Better Hope Legacy send Armorgan and Basil Balkarran to open their innings, NYSCL Legends skipper Boodram Deopaul took the new ball himself. Deopaul first ball was on the stump and then he would bowl every other ball for a wide, the score moved to five all extras. Boodram fifth ball had Armorgan driving, the ball found the edge and the wicketkeeper Martin took the catch diving forward.
The new batsman was Ken Sanichar, Sanichar the only century maker of this year’s Legends Cup, scored a century on Friday afternoon 113 off 12 overs. Cedric Beaton took the ball for the game second over, he was on target and his fourth delivery Sanichar struck to the fence for the game first boundary and he was of the mark. Sanichar and Balkarran stayed together for the next five overs not scoring freely as the bowlers were on top. Balkarran who likes to drive the ball, was given all the chance to drive until he sky one of Suresh Persaud and the catch was taken by the wicketkeeper, as he made his way back to the pavilion, gone for 7.
With the fall of the second wicket, Ber Arjune came to the crease, Arjune and Sanichar two very good strikers of the ball and run great between the wickets. Mattar was brought into the attack; Sanichar pulled a short ball to deep backward square leg, Ramjit moving to his right failed to hold onto the catch and the ball raced to the boundary. In the same over Sanichar driving to Boodram at extra cover and he was dropped. Sanichar did not add to his total of 20 and he was out caught by Linden Langhorne of Suresh Persaud next over.
The new batsman was Moses Mohabir and he scored 7 before he was caught of Suresh Persaud, next in was Mark Bob at number six. In the eight over Arjune was out caught for 16 of Mattar. In the thirteenth over Rajapaul took off for a single and Bob send him back, the wicketkeeper picked up the ball from a point position and made a direct throw hitting the stump and found Rajpaul well outside of his crease. This was a big blow to Better Hope Legacy and a big wicket for NYSCL Legends, the score was 80 for 6.
With the fall of Rajpaul wicket Narpaul Singh took the crease, Singh stayed with Bob and added 24 runs before Singh went caught of Deopaul for 19. Bacchus was next in at number 9, he got off the mark with a single and two balls later he was run out for 1. With one over remaining in the innings Jerry came to the crease, Jerry and Bob ran very quickly between the wickets, before Jerry was run out for 3 and the innings came to an end with Bob unbeaten on 29 in a total of 125 for 9.
NYSCL Legends reply with Tony Fernandez and Albert Baldeo, this pair would stay until the thirteenth over and shared in an opening partnership of 83 runs before Baldeo retired hurt for 16. Replacing Baldeo was Cedric Beaton; Fernandez and Beaton added 9 runs before Fernandez was caught of Jerry for a top score of 44 runs.
Beaton scored a quick 13 runs of seven balls before losing his stump to Mark Bob. Coming in at number four was Julian Holder who was joined by Mattar, this pair added another 12 runs for the fourth wicket. Mattar was run out for 11 after his partner Linden Langhorne fell and Mattar trying to return to his crease was late. Suresh Persaud join Linden Langhorne at the crease, Langhorne struck a four, a double and another four to seal the victory for NYSCL Legends and two overs to remaining. Langhorne had 10 not out and Suresh Persaud did not get off the mark.
Soon after the presentation was done and Tony Fernandez of NYSCL Legends won for the most runs in the tournament and highest individual score went to Ken Sanichar of Better Hope Legacy. Suresh Persaud of NYSCL Legends won for taking the most wickets in the tournament. Harry Rajpaul of Better Hope Legacy took the prize for the best bowling in a match; Martin Emanuel won the finals man of the match prize for his four catches and two run outs. NYSCL Legends Tony Fernandez took the most valuable player of the tournament prize.
Harry Rajpaul received the second place trophy along with metals for each of his players, and Boodram Deopaul took away the Trophy and some cash incentives for the winners.