MCL Challenge Cup Semi-Final
By Dervon A. Wallace
Villagers CC advance to the final of the New York Metropolitan Cricket League (NYMCL) Roy Sweeney Challenge Cup final with ease as they defeated Cosmos CC by eight wickets in a one sided affair at the Floyd Bennett field on 9/9/12. Scores in the match Cosmos CC 59 all out and Villagers CC 60 for 2.
Cuthbert Mendoza bagged 4 for 18 in Villagers’ win over Cosmos. Photo by Shiek Mohamed
In a game that was delay by an hour due to overnight rain which meant the wicket still needed some time to dry was clear the toss could be very significant as the pitch was expected to offer some assistance to the bowlers bowling first so it was no surprise when Villagers captain Cliff Roye won the toss and immediately inserted his opponents.
Villagers who made it to the semi-final of the round robin format before they were soundly beaten by the eventual champions was in no mood to fall at this hurdle for the second time in the season as their bowlers gave a professional display in restricting Cosmos to a disappointed 59 all out in 29.3 overs with veteran Cuthbert Mendoza the pick of the bowlers finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 18 from 7 consecutive overs of medium pace bowling. It was the third time in as many games that Villagers was restricting it opponents to under 100 runs which should be a cause for concern for their next opponent.
Cosmos started their innings with Ashan Riaz and danger man Faisal Taj nick named the “hit man” and when Taj spooned a catch to Raldo Mowatt at mid-wicket in George Adams second over for 6 with the score on 11 it was clear that captain Roye and his troops were elated to see his back as he made that long walk back to the pavilion. Villagers never look back as wickets fell regular and of the 29.3 overs a total of 10.3 maidens were bowled. Riaz with a top score of 11 was the only batsman to get into double figures and Ricky Kissoon who faced 18 balls before he scored a run made 9. Cosmos added to their own demise as a couple of their batters including the veteran Sham Ali needlessly got them self run out.
Bowling for Villagers CC: Adams 2 for 23 from 7 overs, Mendoza 4 for 18 from 7 overs with 1 maiden, Richard Staples 0 for 7 from 7 overs with 4 maidens, Rashard Marshall 1 for 4 from 7 overs with 4 maidens, Ewart Gayle 0 for 0 from 1 overs and Melroy Kingston 1 for 0 from 0.3 overs
In their reply Villagers rush to their target in 12.4 overs but not without alarm as opening batsman Kingston fell for a 3rd ball duck in the first over with the score on 3 caught at extra cover off the bowling of Sohan Dass. Number 3 batsman Staples delighted the small gathering with 2 delightful cover drives to the boundary before he was adjudged LBW off Sajib Salam a decision he didn’t seems to like but with his experience and professionalism walked off advising his teammates to stay focus. It was left to Donald Bennett and Rashard Marshall to see Villagers home without any further hiccups. Marshall in particular took a liking to the Cosmos attacked as he delighted the hand full of spectators with a few top shots from his armory in making a quick fire top score of 28 not out, Bennett playing a watchful innings was not out on 13.
Bowling for Cosmos CC: Dass 1 for 9 from 2 overs, Salam 1 for 24 from 5 overs, Taj 0 for 4 from 3 overs including 2 maidens and R. Kissoon 0 for 20 from 3.4 overs.