United Star Crowned NYSCL 30 Cup Champions

By James Persaud
Sept. 18th, 2008
Last Sunday New York Softball Cricket League played the finals in the 30 over Cup competition; it was a day the softball cricketers were all waiting for after 9 Sundays. As much as it was a happy day for many, it was a sad day for the softball cricket fraternity. Softball or more so cricket has lost a stalwart administrator Mr. Bobby Rupie from the WISA league had past away last Friday. NYSCL President Mr. Eric Ferrier asked all eight teams involved in the finals to assembly at the Rockaway Park, he address the gathering and spoke about the lost and asked that everyone pay a moment of silence in respect for Mr. Rupie.

Victorious United Stars.

It is said that good things comes to those who wait, I would think that United Star waited too long, but last Sunday United Star made no mistake in humiliating Hustlers in the 30 over Cup finals sponsored by Novelty Financial Group. This was billed as the game to watch as there were 3 others finals in different divisions. With a large crowd on hand backed with some sweet rhythm in a true carnival style, and game ball by ball commentators Onkar and Sham calling the plays. And even after United Star crushed Hustlers in about three hours, the teams well wishers and supporters stayed and reminisce on what should have done or what went wrong.

Kris Shaobai called the coin toss correct, he sends Pooran Beria and Row Greaves to face the Pahalad brothers, Bobby and Bhola. Both bowled well but failed to get the break through, Frankie Baichoo and Johnny was introduce next and Johnny was the first to strike, removing Greaves stump for 13, since the pacers was not getting the job done Ivan came on with his wrist spin and immediately grabbed the wickets of Nigel (12) and Pooran (13). Kris batting at number four along with Kenny batted patiently and struggled as they saw their team to the 15 over break with a score of 58 for 3.

When play resumed Bobby had Kris (9) caught at extra cover, Kenny (11) soon follows via the run out route trying for a quick single. Nigel never got settle and he also went run out for 1 run, Bhola continues to bowl without any luck and after he and Bobby bowling spell had ended. Ivan and Johnny continue to bowl very economically while the wickets kept on falling. Ivan grabbed his third wicket that of Singh for 1 run, and Johnny bowled Rajin with out scoring. Ravi Mohan was run out for 3 runs and Baichoo remove Dee (2) middle stump, John was left not out on 1 in a total of 89 runs after 26 overs. Ivan took 3 for 10, Johnny 2 for 17, Baichoo and Bobby each grabbed one wicket.

By any means this target for United Star did not look difficult or out of reach, but this is cricket and it is not over until the fat lady sing (as the saying goes). And this was evident in the six over, after the opening bowlers Nigel and Singh could not break the opening pair of Dhanraj and Balli who had put on a partnership of 27 runs. Kris brought himself on the attack and he struck with his third delivery, Dhanraj (9) caught and the incoming batsman Ivan lost his leg stump with the next ball. With Hustlers being a Bronx based team you could almost feel the Whitestone Bridge swaying as the crowd went wild in jubilation as Kris was on a hat-trick. This was short lived as the United Star skipper Bobby strides to the crease, took his guard checked the field almost twice and signal to the umpire that he was ready, the crowd roars as Kris ran up to bowl-he was on target and Bobby went foot and bat close together stopping the ball as the roaring went silent.

Kris missed his hat-trick and Bobby took care of business as he sends the next two balls to the boundary. Balli (14) was next to go caught of Nigel Greaves and the new batsman was Bhagwandin who along with his skipper saw their team to the victory podium without the any forward damage. United Star reaches their target (91-3) in 15.4 overs with getting Bobby 39 not out and Bhagwandin 21 not out. Kris took 2 for 29 and Nigel Greaves 1 for 14.