Assassins Crowned 30 Over Kings!

United Stars falters in the New York Softball Cricket Association’s premier competition, sponsored by King’s Jewelry World.

Assassins dominated and destroyed the United Stars cricket team last Sunday in the NYSCA’s, premier softball competition- the King’s Jewelry World sponsored 30 Over Cup.

In the regular season Assassins seemed to have had some problems and came in fourth, behind East Coast and Better Hope. Once the competition went into the play-off mode the first three teams lost their first round games, and the seasoned campaigners took over.

Assassins captained by Eon Ellis is enjoying huge successes in the 2006 softball season after winning the first 25 Over Championship competition. This was the Assassins second 2006 softball Championship!

Guest speaker at last Sunday’s presentation ceremony Mr. Sham Samaroo, said this Assassins team reminded him of the mid ninety’s when Assassins won the Triple Crown. He praised players like Navin Narine and Ravi Etwaroo for keeping the nucleus of the team together for so long.

Earlier in the day under bright sunshine, a day that was perfect for cricket finals, a large crowd waited patiently to witness two of the best NY softball teams battle for supremacy.

United Stars won the toss and asked the opponents to bat; in the first six over this looked like a gamble that was worth its value in gold. As the Prahalad brothers Bobby and Bhola dominated with the ball.

With Kris Sobai (4), P. Beria (0), K. Bux (3), N. Narine (3) and G. Chattergoon (11) all back in the pavilion. It looked as if this one was in the bag for United Stars, but the Assassins skipper Ellis and Moonsammy had other plans and started a counter attack.

The middle order bowlers could not get the job done and the batsmen were helped by some fielder’s buttery fingers. Both Ellis (36) and Moonsammy (66) were dropped early in their innings. Moonsammy however batted splendidly and made use of his chances, his innings was the foundation for the Assassins total of 165 runs.

United Stars replied and never built a lengthy partnership against the attack of Navin Narine ( 3 for 16) and Dilchand, Narine was super grabbing 3 early wickets. Star batsman Parasram (Raja) never got settled and was caught off Narine for 11. Evelyn (2 for 21) and Bux (2 for 24) were introduced into the attack as the batsmen faltered and United Stars fell behind in the run rate.

After the water break the batsmen tried hitting their way out of trouble, and the wickets kept on falling, Moonsammy was superb in the field taking 3 running and diving catches. The innings came to a close on 101 all out, giving the Assassins their second championship in as many tries. A. Moonsammy was rewarded for his superb batting and fielding effort with the man of the match award.

DIVISION I B
Met-en-Meerzorg snuck by Long Beach to win the second tier championship, in a game that had more than it’s share of confusion. Never the less like good sportsmen, and under overwhelming pressure Long Beach surrendered the crown to their opponents, R.Besham was rewarded with the man of the match for his top score of 48 runs and 3 wickets for 18 runs.

DIVISION II A
Country Boys, a stand out and supremely well organized team continued in their winning ways defeating Cotton Field in their side of the draw.

By winning on Sunday the 30 over Championship and the division II B 25 over Championship earlier in the season, this team is well set like Assassins to be Triple Crown Champions.

Country Boys took on Cotton Field in what became a keenly contested match up. Both teams had scored huge totals in the regular season games. This time Country Boys was the better of the two, in a game played at their home ground. Andrew Jerrick won the man of the match crown with his outstanding match performance of 20 runs and 3 wickets for 20 runs. Kudos to Country Boys President George Ault and Community leader Garfield Towler for their leadership, loyalty, and skill in molding a very mercurial and dynamic group of talented cricketers into a winning team.

DIVISION II B
New York All-stars continued to play good all round cricket, but came up short for the second time in as many tries this season as Unpredictable dominated after winning the early morning game against 76Sers to qualify. NY All – Stars despite the presence of Sunil Lekraj and Ivor Chan could not take control of the game as the result testifies.

The Unpredictable team has struggled all season with problems and moved down in the NYSCA divisions and now success has come their way. Unpredictable’s K. Hardeen was the man of the match scoring of 13 runs and capturing 4 wickets for 39 runs.