Azeemuddin Khan crafted a skillful 44 after Trevor Henry scalped 4 wickets to highlight a tense first-round match for Richmond Hill Liberty Cricket Club (RHLCC) against New York Kings Cricket Club (NYKCC). Moien Khan and Leon Mohabir held their nerves with an 18 runs 9th wicket partnership to defy Ravinder’s 6 wicket haul and see RHLCC home in a tricky chase of 110.
Dominique Rikhi, taking over as captain of RHLCC, secured the toss and asked NYKCC to take first strike on May 19th. Jamiel Jackman opened the bowling with Trevor Henry and the duo immediately got the better of the NYKCC top order. Exploiting the damp surface, from overnight rain, the pair accounted for the top five batsmen with just 44 runs on the board. Henry led the way with 4 for 39 off of his 4 overs.
Making his RHLCC debut, Dino Chooweenam, along with the prolific Leon Mohabir combined for the remaining 5 wickets to wrap up the NYKCC inning at 109 all out. Ravinder led the batting for the visitors with 24 on a Baisley Cage wicket which challenged batsmen with uneven bounce on a freshly relayed playing surface.
TheBlueNation boys, sponsored by SVC Sawh Voltcomm, had their tails up going into the break but that quickly changed when captain Rikhi played on first ball and was back on the Baisley bleachers. Henry went two balls later trapped leg before wicket and after a couple of lusty blows Chooweenam was also out for 13. The procession continued when Dilly Khilawan was trapped LBW and Terrence Madramootoo was snatched up at short midwicket for 7. Ravinder had turned in a dream spell for NYKCC, who was this year promoted to the EACA 1st Division after winning the 2nd Division championship in 2018. By the 7th over of the chase Ravinder bagged 5 wickets for 18 runs and single handedly restricted RHLCC to 34 for 5.
The Century 21 Professional Realty sponsored RHLCC needed a serious answer to stand a chance of securing an opening day win and Azeemuddin Khan, making his debut for #TheBlueNation, was that answer. Batting with extreme character he found a partner in Naresh Rambharos and the duo sew together 6th wicket partnership which doubled the score by the 15 over, drinks break mark. Azeem Khan carved one boundary and four well-struck maximums in a 45-ball 44 runs stay at the crease. Rambharos, a naturally aggressive batsman, showed maturity in his knock of 15 hitting a four and a six each.
With the chase cruising after the drinks break the uneven bounce in the wicket claimed three quick scalps including both Azeem Khan and Rambharos who were settled at the crease and Joel Boodhoo. This brought Leon Mohabir and Moien Khan to the crease with the tricky task of getting the remaining 18 runs with just Jamiel Jackman to come. The duo went about the task with purpose and poise with Mohabir playing the senior role and keeping things steady. Seventeen-Year old Moien Khan was the aggressor in the partnership. Both batsman chipped off key boundaries as he chase wound down, Moien Khan lined up a straight back six to bring home the win and bring much needed relief to the RHLCC camp.
RHLCC continue their 2019 EACA 40 Overs fixtures after the Memorial Weekend break at Lido Beach against Everest/ACS.
The 2019 RHLCC is 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