New York Softball Cricket League
NYSCL Teams in Last Sprint for 25 Overs Championship

By James Persaud
May 14th, 2009
The New York Softball Cricket League 25 overs Championship heading for another round of excitement as the teams makes a last effort to get to the playoffs. With two weeks remaining in the qualifying rounds and two teams Cavaliers and Liberty Knights already securing their playoffs spot in the Premier division.

They will be following closely by Enterprise, Enterprise will take on Assassins this Sunday and this could well be a very deciding game for either team, setting up the first three or four slots. The rest of teams in the Premier division will be vying for the last four spots. Assassins who made a slow start this season is finale getting some runs from skipper Eon Ellis, which could well be the turning point for this team.

In division IB, Ranchers stand alone and have enjoyed a smooth sailing so far in the competition wining all their games. Ranchers will face their toughest task in the playoffs when their will be playing teams from the other group. The other teams who will be looking to lock in their playoffs spot this Sunday is Wildfire, Canal and Master Blaster. Then the wild rush will be between the remaining teams with only New York All-Stars holding the slimmest chance.

The division IIA teams saw two teams running away and locking up their playoffs spots, Volcano and Eagles who have played undefeated so far. New York Midrise a team with plenty talented players started the season very slow and loss their first game but have since changed gears and have cruise to victory in their last three games led by their captain Krishna Persaud. All the other teams in this division have a chance to make the playoffs except Rebels who has the very slimmest chance.

Every season as the teams in the upper divisions play rough house in trying to make the playoffs and take the championship, the teams in division two seems to be having fun and playing very competitive cricket. But then again this where it all started, playing at the bottom and work your way up trying to get to the Premier division. In the division IIB only one team have secured their playoffs spot so far Ravens, and they are hard pressed by Champions, Strikers, Young Brothers, Flashers and Justin Force.

Justin Force the new team on the block led by their skipper Sonny have played very competitive cricket and have won some very close games. With two games remaining before the playoffs it look as if the last three spots for the playoffs in this division will come from either of the other teams. The teams who are unable to securing their playoffs spot this Sunday will still have a last chance in the sixth week, there is still plenty of cricket left-so play ball and have fun let the ball and bat do the do the magic for your team.

Cavaliers Ends Enterprise Undefeated Run
By Vick Lall
Cavaliers inflicted the first defeat on Enterprise in the 4th round of NYSCL 25-Overs round robin competition, played at 150 Rockaway. Cavaliers won the toss and invited Enterprise to take first strike. Enterprise openers, F. Razack and V. Samaroo posted a solid opening stand of 40, which turned out to be the best partnership of the entire match. Rishi Singh was brought into the attack and straight away it paid dividend for Cavaliers, removing V. Samaroo, who was caught for a well played 18. Earpalli Sahadeo in his first over accounted for the next opener F. Razack, bowled for a well crafted innings of 18. V. Mohabir made his way to the center at the all important position, number three, in any batting order, but failed to beat a throw from the young and energetic Gavesh Arjune and was run out for 2.

The two most senior batsmen for Enterprise R. Barron and M. Sukran, batting at four and five with their team in trouble at 47 for 3, failed to make a significant contribution to lift their team towards recovery. Both batsmen perished before the break, caught for 7 and 8 respectively. At the break, Enterprise was reeling at 60 for 5, which could have been worse if Cavaliers did not drop three regulation catches. With Enterprise struggling at the midway stage of their inning, the momentum was clearly with Cavaliers.

Resuming after the break, things got even worse for Enterprise as wickets continued to tumble. In fact, the last five batsmen fell for 26 runs. Cavalier’s bowlers once again did a fabulous job to restrict Enterprise for 86 all out, given the opening stand of 40 that was posted. Earpalli Sahadeo and Rishi Singh bowled brilliantly, finishing with match figures of 3.3-0-14-4 and 4-1-8-2 respectively.

Cavaliers pursuit of the small target of 86 was somewhat nervy. After 12 accurate overs, there was just one boundary; an excellent display of how tight Enterprise bowlers kept their line and length. Michael Persaud and Ravi Sahadeo opened the innings for Cavaliers.

Michael Persaud was removed in the second over, fishing outside off stump and was caught behind for 1. Brooks Parshad made his way out to the wicket with the score on 7 for 1, and he and Ravi Sahadeo posted a second wicket partnership of 25 before Brooks inside edged towards short third man and set off for a run, only to be sent back by Ravi Sahadeo and was run out for 11.

Cavalier’s skipper Earpalli Sahadeo strolled to the middle with the score on 31 for 2 in the 11th over with Cavaliers desperately needing someone to up the ante.

Ravi Sahadeo tried to do so, but in the process held out on midwicket boundary for 11. Rishi Singh joined his skipper in the middle and the two started the repair job for Cavaliers with singles, doubles and inside edges.

Trying to steal each run as possible, Earpalli Sahadeo perished via the run out route for 10, attempting to complete a second run he failed to make his ground at the non- striker end.

But that was as good as it got for Enterprise, as Jadgesh Arjune and Rishi Singh eased into a 34- run stand. The scores were level when Rishi Singh drove loosely to short mid off and was caught 22. Rishi Singh batted with superb confidence and rare aggression.

Jadjesh Arjune was left on 10 not out when Cavalier eased over the finish line. All of the Enterprise bowlers tried their best to hold Cavaliers below the less than threatening of targets, but failed in the end. Nevertheless, they pushed Cavaliers to the limit and made them fight for each run. M. Sukra and D. Jadjeo finished with one wicket a piece. Good sportsmanship was displayed by both teams in a hard fought match.

Spartans Stun Canal
By Teddy
Congratulation to Spartans Cricket Club on very a outstanding victory against Canal last Sunday. Spartans batted first and made a very disappointing score of 78 runs. For a team which is gifted so many talented batsmen, it has been a disappointing year so far with the bat. The only positive of the batting has been the bottom order which once again has shown great character and fight that any team needs.

The bottom order compromises of the youngest of players in the league, all teens especially Neil and Faid, two future stars of this league. Well one thing that has been consistent is Spartans bowling. They have been good all the time and great some of the time, especially last Sunday.

With only 79 runs to win, Canal thought that they had an easy task ahead but Spartans opening bowlers and to be quite honest the team had something different on their mind. And if you were part of the huddle before they went into the field, you would have known that something special was about to happen. You could have seen the determination. The inning started off with a bang, with Kennard striking two times in the first over.

Then Jerry (Safraz) took a wicket in the second over. Game was on. With the opening bowlers bowling ever so dangerously, Danny (Canal opening batsman) decided to anchor down and play the openers out with the number 5 batsman at the crease. They did well until the 7th over when Kennard bowled an unplayable delivery which bowled the number 5 batsman. Then Chris came into the attack with momentum fully swinging Spartans way and took 3 vital wickets. Before you knew it, the game was over. Spartans had overcome an incredible challenge, they won the game.

Kennard finished with 5 for 13 in 5 overs. Jerry finished with 1 for 12 in 5 overs and Chris finished with 3 for 16 in 4 overs.

The hard-hitting Sunil Panday.

NYSCL Match Summary
Division IA
Cavaliers Vs Enterprise
Enterprise 86 all out
F. Razack 18, V. Samraoo 18
E. Sahadeo 4-14, R. Singh 2-8, V. Lall 2-10
Cavaliers 87 for 5
R. Singh 22, R. Persaud 11, B. Prashad 11
S. Kayoon, M. Sukhra and D. Jagdeo took 1 wkt each

United Stars Vs Untouchables
Untouchables 178 for 5
S. Panday 80 n /o, P. Mahadeo 31, Danny 16
Bhola Pahalad 3-33, Bobby Pahalad and R. Ivan 1 wkt each
United Stars 154 all out
Ward 38, R. Balli 20, V. Dhanraj 15, R. Ivan 15
Rajpaul 3-36, A. Gonsalves 2-20

Assassins Vs Triumph
Assassins 209 for 8
E. Ellis 63, K. Bux 44, R. Knights 31
Davo 2-27, Kenny 2-31, Ganesh 2-34
Triumph 55 all out
Ganesh 16, Davo 14
N. Narine 3-9, A. Moonsammy 2-6

Eon Ellis struck 63 against Triumph.

Liberty Knights won Vs Bravehearts
Mafia won Vs Country Boys

Division IB
Sunrise Vs Sheffield
Sunrise 160 all out
D. Basdeo 46, R. dayal 20, S. Cheong 19
Tappin 4-30, E. Datson 2-24, W. Crackwell 2-43
Sheffield 139 all out
M. Persaud 25, E. Datson 14
D. Singh 3-22, R. Ramjas 2-18

Wildfire Vs Horizon
Wildfire 184 for 6
S. Racktoo 54, C. Singh 25 M. Narine 22, V. Singh 19
Orin 2-29, F. Dotson 1-19
Horizon 185 for 9
Budhu 29, T. Williams 24
S. Racktoo 3-26, C. Singh 2-20, V. Singh and H. Singh took 1 wkt each

Canal loss Vs Spartans
Master Blaster won Vs Bronx Lions
Titans won Vs NY All-Stars
Ranchers won Vs Cotton Field

Division IIA
Better Hope Vs Wakefield
Better Hope 113 for 8
M. Mahabir 23, A. Sukhnanan 17, S. Tiwari 16
Darren 2-6, Ganesh 2-24
Wakefield 62 all out
J. Singh 21, Kevin 10
N. Ramroop 3-8, T. Singh 3-15, T. Sanichar 3-24

Lions Vs NY Midrise
NY Midrise 172 for 9
K. Persaud 80, B. Persaud 20
Shawn 3-34, V. McLennon 2-47
Lions 131 all out
Anand Singh 64
E. Sookraj 3-21, R. Kowlessar 3-26, K. Persaud 3-29

Unpredictable won Vs Waves
Essequibo won Vs P M All-Stars
Apollo XI loss Vs Eagles
Volcano won Vs Rebels

Division IIB
Champions Vs Legends
Champions 106 all out
Legends 34 all out

Ravens Vs Invaders
Ravens 133 for 8
Mel 28, S. Malaram 21, S. Harichand 19, D. Bhikham 15
W. Valladares 2-22, N. Bickram 2-26, Seodat 2-28
Invaders 93 all out
W. Valladares 29, P. Valladares 27
R. Williams 3-14, S. Behari 2-12, R. Gafoor 2-14, S. Harichand 2-29

Buccaneers Vs Young Brothers
Young Brothers 161 for 7
N. Tiwari 61, V. Gunga 29, N. Dwarka 27
Vishnu 2-16, Boysie 2-37
Buccaneers 162 for 5
Vishnu 43, Mahendra 23, Bram 16
N. Dwarka 2-20, N. Tiwari 2-26

Flashers Vs Cricket International
Flashers 230 for 8
Randy 52, Vick 50, Vickram 33, Rocco 27
Ramchand 2-43
Cricket International 105 all out
Marvin 29, Ramchand 18, R. Motilal 14
S. Singh 5-18, Robin 3-20, Vickram 2-28

Rising Sun won Vs Falcons
Justin Force won Vs Wolf Pack
Young West Indies loss Vs Strikers