National players Akeal Hosein and Sunil Narine led Queen's Park Cricket Club to the Sunday League 50-over title after defeating North rivals Merry Boys by 104 runs in the penultimate round at the Diego Martin Recreational Ground, yesterday.
The victory kept the Parkites unbeaten after eight rounds, as it moved to 24 points, six ahead of Powergen Penal with only one round remaining.
Batting first Queen's Park posted a competitive 265/7 as left-handed Hosein scored 69 from 80 balls. Hosein, who struck three fours and one six, was ably supported by Barbadian Javon Searles who slammed a quick 34 off 33 balls at the end of the innings.
Earlier in the innings, left-handed opener Jeremy Solozano contributed 34 from 50 balls. Aneil Kanhai (2/31) and Ryan Hinds (2/34) were the top bowlers for Merry Boys both snatching two wickets.
In reply, Merry Boys failed to push on after getting a positive start.
After the third wicket fell with the score on 91, the Diego Martin team slumped to 161 all out in 43.3 overs to hand Queen's Park a comfortable win.
Mario Belcon top scored for the hosts with 46 off 36 balls, which included ten fours. Hinds was the only other batsman to offer some resistance, finishing on an unbeaten 23.
Narine was again among the wickets taking 4/26 in 9.3 overs, while Hosein made it difficult to score grabbing 3/18 in ten overs.
On Saturday Narine picked up 4/25 against Merry Boys in the Shanghai Construction Group National League.
At Inshan Ali Park, Preysal won its first match of the competition with a narrow ten-run win over Jenexcon Tableland.
At Enterprise, Powergen Penal grabbed three points after Esmeralda forfeited the match due to unavailable players.
SCORES
At Diego Martin Recreational: Queen's Park 265/7 (Akeal Hosein 69, Javon Searles 34 not out, Jeremy Solozano 34, Aneil Kanhai 2/31, Ryan Hinds 2/34) vs Merry Boys 161 (43.3 overs) (Mario Belcon 46, Hinds 23 not out, Sunil Narine 4/26, Hosein 3/18) Queen's Park won by 104 runs.
At Wilson Road: FC Clarke Road 162 (42.2 overs) (Antonio Greenidge 51, Kjorn Ottley 35, Fareel Jugmohan 3/39, Garey Mathurin 2/14, Rajindra Dhanraj 2/17) vs Jailal Enterprise Victoria 118 (39.2 overs) (Romario Sheppard 43, Marcelle Jones 28, Mukesh Persad 5/17, Jyd Goolie 2/9) Clarke Road won by 44 runs.
At Inshan Ali Park: Preysal 158 (48 overs) (Amit Maraj 46, Videsh Sookhai 42, Daniel St Clair 3/21, Negus Carthy 2/27) vs Jenexcon Tableland 148 (31 overs) (Chanderpaul Hemraj 49, Philton Williams 4/52, Yohan Boxhil 4/62) Preysal won by ten runs.
At Gilbert Park: Alescon Comets 185 (Adrian Ali 95, Danza Hyatt 31, Jon Russ Jagessar 4/20) vs Caldrac 93 (N. McDavid 23, Anthony Simmons 5/32) Comets won by 92 runs.
At Enterprise: Esmeralda forfeited match against Powergen Penal.