The SIS Industrial Cricket League will conclude in grandiose style with the two strongest teams in the competition set for an epic clash on Friday in the grand finals.
Both teams produced clinical performances to seal victory in their semi final encounters with WASA getting past hosts SIS and NGC defeating a determined outfit from the Methanol Division of Industrial Plant Services Limited (IPSL MX).
In the first semi final, WASA posted a competitive 81 for 3 against SIS with Christopher Jugmohan top scoring with an impressive 35 not out. He slammed 2 sixes and 1 four against an unusually wayward bowling effort by the SIS contingency who conceded 20 extras.
Wendell Samuel offered some support to Jugmohan with ten as they led WASA to a respectable total. Shival Sakawath had the best bowling figures for SIS grabbing 2 for 23 in an expensive and below par spell.
In their reply, SIS got off to a flyer with Sakawath who slammed Donny Supersad for 2 maximums in the first over.
SIS reached 27 without loss in the 3rd over and looked set to challenge WASA's total but a drastic capitulation saw the home side collapse, losing 8 wickets for just 13 runs as the middle order crumbled. Sakawath top scored with 21 but his effort was in vain as his team plummeted to a 41 run defeat.
The second semi final proved to be much more competitive with NGC scraping past IPSL MX. Sean Siloch, NGC's top performer this year was at the fore once again and proved to be the deciding factor. The lanky all rounder assisted in restricting IPSL MX to 51 for 5 from their allotted ten overs with a miserly spell of 2 wickets for 4 runs.
Naz Mohammed top scored with 11 and received support from skipper Miguel Pustam and Alvin Nancoo who contributed 10 each. NGC in reply were made to labor and earn their place in the final as MX maintained a disciplined bowling attack.
NGC were reduced to 14 for 1 in the 5th over with Garette Boodhai removing the dangerous Daniel Prentice for 8. Prentice's dismissal brought Siloch to the crease with his team needing 42 for victory and he showed his prowess and power with a cameo 26.
His innings contained 2 sixes which propelled NGC to the required run rate as they stole victory in the final over. Boodhai was the best bowler for MX with figures of 2 for 7 as they narrowly missed out on a place in the final. NGC would be eager to avenge their group stage loss to WASA when they face off at 7 pm, while the water men will look to complete somewhat of a whitewash with an impressive undefeated run in this year's competition.
Meanwhile hosts SIS will look to claim third place when the come up against IPSL MX at 5pm in what also promises to be a thrilling encounter.
The finals will take place this Friday at the Macaulay Ground in California Couva. Live entertainment will be provided by "The Dhoti Man" Snakey, General Grant, Soca Elvis and Terry Seales and the public is invited to attend.
QUARTER FINAL FIXTURES
Summarized Scores
Semifinal 1
WASA 81/3 (C. Jugmohan 35no, S. Sakawath 2-23) vs
SIS 40/8 (S. Sakawath 21, V. Jaggesar 3-1, V. Ramsaran 3-5)
Result: WASA won by 41 runs
Man of the Match: Christopher Jugmohan
Semifinal 2
IPSL MX 51/5 (N. Mohammed 11, A. Nancoo 10, S. Siloch 2-4) vs
NGC 55/3 (S. Siloch 26, G. Boodhai 2-7)
Result: NGC won by 7 wickets
Man of the Match: Sean Siloch