By Morris Seecharan
Last Sunday on father’s day and the start of NYSCL 30 over competition Sunrise and Country Boys member in their hearts badly want to win their 1st game and for fathers in their team. With the match played a 150th and Rockaway the most prime pitch and home of Country Boys winning the toss and batting was the fitting thing to d by the host team.

Rohit Kowlesser and Khemraj Somaru.

Tony Fernandez and Andrew Jerreck opened for Country Boys as Sunrise strike bowler Khemraj Somaru was penetrating and on target from the 1st delivery and in his 4th ball had Jerreck popped up and caught with the score 2. Rohit Kowlesser was stingy as well to open while Khemraj in second over removed I. Scipio in a maiden over as the score read 2 for 3 in the 3rd over. With Khemraj and Rohit bowling on target Sunrise Captain Roopnarine Dayal kept his opening pair as they Country Boys batsmen found it was a drought for runs. Fernandez and D. Baggot displayed great patience at the crease as Deryck Basdeo and Ravi Etwaroo kept up the bowling pressure making it hard for Country Boys to score. At the 15 over half Country Boys batsmen managed 33 for 2, with the hope that their preserved wickets will do some damage in the second half.

In the second half Tony bat came alive as he hit consecutive boundaries sending a strong message to Sunrise blowers. With Rohan Kowlesser in the attack in his 2nd over he had Baggot caught to break up this partnership with score 3 for 45 in the 17 overs. Tony continue to blast Sunrise bowlers and after hitting a six Deryck he was caught brilliantly at long on by Khemraj with score 59 for 4 in 18 overs. G. Dow and Y. Giddings were able to stable their batting as Dow was moving the ball picking up singles. Rohit was brought back in the rotation and had Dow caught at long on by a running catch by Dayal. Rohit in the same over struck for 3 wicket leaving the score 91 for 7 in the 25th overs. Khemraj pick a wicket in his last over, Rohit stuck and again setting up Deryck to close out Country Boys for 103 in 27.4 overs.

Rohit Kowlesser was deadly as he lead Sunrise bowling taking 4 for 11, as Khemraj Somaru crafted the his team bowling performance taking early wicket with the figure 3 for 22. As Deryck Basdeo figures read 2 for 18.

In reply Sunrise switched their opening bat having Rohit Kowlesser instead of Dayal who is the heart of their batting offense with hope to lengthen their batting as Deryck Basdeo kept his spot.  A. Towler bowled a stingy over to start game. Rohit and Deryck faced the same faith as runs were hard to get as well. In the 4th over Deryck driving on the onside found himself in trouble as he was caught at midwicket with the score at 14. Wahab Hussain, Sunrise vice captain joined Rohit who was moving the ball around and picking up singles and doubles. Wahab settled very quickly as he and Rohit journey on an important partnership. Country Boys bowlers did not look for pace as they bowled a slow line and length making it very hard to score. However Rohit and Wahab stick to their task hitting timely boundaries ticking away at their opponent total. At the end of 15 over Sunrise were 68 for 1 and cruising along.

Rohit who was leading the offensive for his team batted with command as he and Wahab continue the quest on attaining the targeted score. Wahab playing forward had an opposite side edged as he was caught easily at short over with the score at 70 for 2 in the 16th over. Wahab batted patiently building a significant 66 runs partnership. Selwyn Cheong joined Rohit who crafted an important bat for himself and his team.  Country boys bowling continue to be on target as Rohit with Cheong took the sore to 97 for 4 as Cheong was caught. Country boys picked up a flurry of wicket as Sunrise attempted to give their youngster some batting practice. With Rohit on 44 and his teammate calling for a six so he get his half century he connect for a long shot at midwicket but a overhead catch was taken at the boundary line to rob him. Rohit batted with class batting to the end to see this win for his team. However Raj Balgobin one the youngster hit a cover drive boundary with the winning runs as Sunrise secured their 1st win.

Country boy’s bowlers showed a fight to the end and making it difficult for Sunrise batsmen to score. I. Cipo who picked up quick wickets at the end lead the bowling with 3 for 9, as Y. Gidding and S. Andrew had 2 wickets each.