West Indian Softball Association
Canje Humbled Warriors - Division I Champs

By Chin Singh
June 14, 2009
A superb batting display from Thakur Kumar, an excellent all-around performance from J.G. Dhanai, and an immaculate spell of bowling from Nizam Latiff helped Canje to defeat Warriors CC in the WISA Division 1 Finals, played at Charles Drew Park last Sunday.

WISA Division I Champions Canjie Cricket Club.

Warriors won the toss and decided to field first. The decision looked to be a good one as Canje lost Javed Hussain via the run out route for 1 with the score at 4 in the second over. Tejpaul Gobin came in at number three, and together with J. Dhanai, tried to consolidate as they found runs hard to come by due to some accurate bowling from the Warriors bowlers, and also a very heavy outfield due to some consistent rain that fell during the week, Tejpaul Gobin who had just hit M. Balchand for a huge six, tried to repeat the shot, and was bowled for 18 in the tenth over, with the score at 35. Thakur Kumar joined Dhanai, and together took the score to 52 without further loss, at the 13th over break.

After the break, the pair started aggressively, with Kumar doing the bulk of the scoring, and Dhanai at the other end picking up the ones and twos. They took the score to 98 in 19 overs, before the reliable Dhanai went, bowled by M. Balchand for a sensible 33 runs. With six overs to go, Canje was looking to score fast, that they did, but also lost 5 more wickets in the process, including Kumar, who made a magnificent 48, a knock that included 4 fours and a six. Canje would close their innings at 135 for the loss of 8 wickets. Bowling for Warriors – S. Moonsammy 2/16 M. Balchand – 2/35.

Taking their turn at the crease, the very pumped-up Warriors opened with R. Fazal, and A. Mohammed. Disaster struck almost immediately, as Fazal, who had hit a 4 the previous delivery, was clean bowled by Yadram Maystry in the second over for 5, with the score at 6. Warriors had a difficult time scoring runs against two of the finest bowlers in the New York area, Maystry and Gumel Matai. After four overs, captain Goordial Matai introduced Nizam Latiff, and soon, the score would reach 21/4 in 9 overs, with Latiff sending back both A. Mohammed (8), and M. Balchand, who was magnificently caught at short extra cover by Goordial Matai, for a duck.

Warriors never recovered, and were soon all out for 79, and innings that lasted 24 overs. Only Navin Singh with 14, and S. Moonsammy with 11, was the two batsmen to reach double figures. Bowling for Canje, Nizam Latiff, who was almost unplayable, had figures of 3/9 from his five overs. He was well supported by J. Dhanai with 2/16, and Terry Sanichar with 2/17. There was also a wicket each for G. Matai and Y. Maystry.
Thakur Kumar with his 48 runs and three wonderful catches behind the stumps was named the player of the game.
Congratulations to Canje CC.

Richmond Hill ‘End’ Dynasty
By Darshan Chickery
June 17, 2009
Richmond Hill beat Dynasty by 22 runs in one of the two semi finals and put an end to the much anticipated showdown between Dynasty and Cornered Tigers for the WISA 25 Over Premier Elite championship.

On a soggy St. Albans outfield, Dynasty won the toss put Richmond Hill in to bat. That move paid dividends immediately when Clifflee Velaidum was caught off the bowling of Murph Seeram. Seeram struck again in his second and third overs removing Krishna Chickery (1) and A. Shazaman (11) to set back Richmond Hill at 27 for 3 in the fifth over.

Kumar Chickery and Bridgelall Heralal (Max) added 52 runs for the fourth wicket before Max lobbed a, Anil Kissoon long-hop for a dynamic 22. Richmond Hill went to the break (13 overs) well placed at 79 for 4.

Richmond Hill’s projected 140 became a fantasy when Ricky Narine and Anil Kissoon sliced through their middle and lower order. They managed 112 all out off 21.1 overs. Other than Max’s 22, three other batsmen got into double figures. Ricky took 4 for 23. He was supported by Murph and Anil with 3 for 9 and 3 for 20 respectively.

Dynasty started their reply in much the same way Richmond Hill did their inning. They lost the wickets of Malipal (1) stumped off the bowling of Joe Persaud, Nayan Rudra (7) run out and Ricky Narine (1) bowled by Joe. They were 10 for 3 at the end of four overs.

Vicky Subkaran and Kenny kept things quiet for the next five overs before Subkaran was out played-on to A. Shazaman for 2. To add insult to injury, Khemraj Narine (Buns) was bowled by Ravi Lutchman in the very next over. Dynasty, were precariously place at 21 for 5 at the end of 10 overs. This one had the look of an early day, but the Dynasty fought like the champions they are.

Anil Kissoon joined the valiant Kenny. They took the score to 43 for 5 at the end of the 15th over. With 70 to get in ten overs, Dynasty stepped up the tempo and hence, the possibility of losing wickets. Kissoon fell in the 16th over to make the score 47 for 6. Jay Ram went in the 17th over to make it 52 for 7.

Murph joined Kenny and took the score to 85 before he was run out in the 21st over. Dynasty folded at 90 all out in the 23rd over. Kenny top scored with 35. Joe Persaud was brilliant with 3 for 9 from five overs. Kumar Chickery grabbed 2 for 16 while J. Hemraj, A. Shazaman and Ravi Lutchman took one wicket apiece.

Richmond Hill will play Cornered Tigers for the 25 Overs Premier Elite Championship at Charles Drew Park (Van Wyck & 115th Ave) Sunday June 21, 2009 at 1:00 pm