Connecticut Cricket League's 2013 champions Sportmen's Athletic Club.
Connecticut Cricket League
Aided by a number of drop catches, Sportmen’s Athletic Club racked up the record score of 374 for four wickets then fought back strongly to stave off a determined bid by Bloomfield Caribbean to get the runs to return as champions of the Connecticut Cricket League.
The large crowd which showed up for the game that was played in Keney Park on Sunday, August 24, and covered by CP-TV Sports, was treated to an exciting display of power hitting from both teams as Bloomfield Caribbean in their reply made 322 runs.
Paving the way for Sportmen’s was opener O’Neil “Popeye” Powell, who in his usual aggressive manner launched a blistering attack on Bloomfield Caribbean’s bowlers right from the start of the innings and ended up scoring a record 193 not out. Powell who hit 13 sixes and 14 fours, delighted the crowd with a spectacular display of hitting of the ball all over the field.
O'Neil Powell of Sportmen blast an unbeaten 193. Photo by Shiek Mohamed.
One-down batsman Dave Wallace, who was involved in a partnership with Powell of 173 runs, shared in the exciting spectacle by scoring 82 runs.
Other Sportmen’s batsmen to score in double figures were Dennis Evans 32, Rohan Alexander 20 and Bruce Blackwood 15.
Taking the wickets for Bloomfield Caribbean were Sean Edwards 1 for 26, captain Everton Nelson 1for 56, Chevon McLean 1 for 57 and Rawl Carryl 1 for 62.
With such a huge score on the board most fans were of the opinion that this would have been an easy win for Sportmen’s. However, the Bloomfield Caribbean’s batsmen came out with a very determined attitude and taking advantage of Sportmen’s fielders who followed the same pattern as Bloomfield Caribbean by also dropping a number of catches, raced to 76 runs before losing their first wicket, Kevin Baugh for 36.
In came skipper Nelson, who started out quietly, then shared in the spotlight by launching an attack just like Powell, hitting the bowlers that he faced all over the field and raced to 92 off 62 balls, which included eight sixes and four fours. He got out caught near the boundary as he went for another big hit. Nelson got good assistance from opener Nick Hay, who played a very steady innings scoring a very enterprising 74 runs, before he fell to an easy catch after he developed cramps which kept him from moving to the ball in the correct manner.
At one time, Bloomfield Caribbean was well ahead of the scoring rate that caused many to think that they were going to come out as the winners. This did not happen however. With the exception of Jonathan Bonner, who scored a very spirited 71, all the other batsmen failed to either spend some reasonable time at the wicket or produce any good amount of runs. The only other batsman to reach double figures was Dwayne Henry 10.
Leading wicket takers for Sportmen’s were Dennis Evans 4 for 42 and Dave Wallace 3 for 60. Blackwood took 1 for 45 and Delroy Nelson 1 for 49.
At the end of the game, most of the fans in attendance expressed their satisfaction of having the opportunity to witness the exciting and historical game. Many left congratulating Sportmen’s for retaining the championship but said that the real winner of the day was the sport of cricket.