Powergen Sports Club won the premiership division of the T&T Cricket Board’s (TTCB) National League two-day competition despite falling to a narrow defeat against second-placed Alescon Comets at Pierre Road on Sunday.
The victory was important for Comets to secure the second spot after Queen’s Park Cricket Club beat Merry Boys at the Queen’s Park Oval.
Comets started the day shaky on 84 for five, responding to Powergen’s first innings score of 198. They only added 20 runs on the second morning before being bowled out for 104. It gave Powergen a 94-run lead. Its second innings was led by Jeron Maniram’s 43 while Stephen Katwaroo hit 33.
Powergen was bowled out for 156 runs, setting Comets a target of 251 runs for victory. At the top of the order, captain Rayad Emrit led the chase with 62 runs from 45 balls. When he was out, Christopher Barnwell took over responsibility.
The Guyanese was brutal in his approach, hitting 94 runs from just 48 balls. His knock included 10 sixes. The match came down close, but Barnwell ended unbeaten to lead his side to a five-wicket victory.
Powergen captain Jason Mohammed was happy with the league success but disappointed with the defeat.
He told Guardian Media Sports, “We are a little disappointed to lose the game after holding such a big first innings lead. It’s not the ideal finish. Barnwell was good on the day although he had a couple of chances. However, I think we have good momentum heading into the T20s now.”
In Barrackpore, Victoria Sports avoided relegation with a 95-run victory over Central Sports.
The latter resumed its first innings on 130 for seven, replying to Victoria’s 222. Central was bowled out for 157, handing Victoria a first innings lead of 65 runs. They went on to score 162 for eight before declaring in the second innings and setting Central Sports a target of 228 runs for victory.
After scoring a quick fire 46, Vikash Rampersad led the demise of Central Sports with figures of four for 51. He helped bowl out his opponents for 132. Kjorn Ottley’s 43 was the top score for his side in the second innings.
At the Oval, QPCC saw off Merry Boys quite easily. Having dismissed the visitors for 146 runs on an opening day, QPCC resumed its first innings on 201 for four with Isaiah Rajah unbeaten on 85.
He fell two runs short of a century while the hosts had solid contributions from Yannic Cariah and Nicholas Alexis, both of whom made 45.
Alexis ended unbeaten. QPCC declared its innings on 338 for eight, taking a massive lead of 192 runs into the second innings. Merry Boys rolled over for just 168 runs. Pacer Anderson Phillip led his side’s destruction with five wickets for 49 runs.
Amir Jangoo had a solid start before being run out for 37. At one-point, Merry Boys was 85 for five. They eventually slid to a crushing defeat.
In El Socorro, First Citizens Clarke Road beat El Socorro Youth Movement (EYM) by an innings and 25 runs. After bowling out EYM for 111 on the first day, Clarke Road resumed its first innings on 311 for five.
Clevon Kalawan added only three to his overnight score of 53. The visitors were bowled out for 339 runs, taking a lead of 228 runs into the second innings.
Akil Timothy finished with five wickets for 99 runs. In response, EYM was bowled out for 203 runs in its second innings. Kerwyn Sirju led the destruction for Clarke Road with five wickets for 58 runs. Richard Ali’s fighting 55 was in vain as was Timothy’s 47.
With the two-day tournament now over, players switch their focus to the T20 competition beginning on Wednesday. (Trinidad & Tobago Guardian)
