Queen's Park has one hand on the Shanghai Construction Group National League title after mystery spinner Sunil Narine led them to a nervous five-wicket win over Merry Boys in the penultimate round of matches at the Diego Martin Recreational Ground, yesterday.
With the win, Queen's Park moved to 197 points, 25 points ahead of defending champions Merry Boys. A team can earn up to 28 points in a match (including bonus points), therefore the Parkites are only a few points away from clinching the title. Queen's Park will face PowerGen Penal in the last round at the Queen's Park Oval. The Parkites are looking for its second title after it won the Sunday League 50-over title earlier this season.
Chasing 57 for victory yesterday, Queen's Park limped to 59/5 in 13.2 overs with Daron Cruickshank top scoring with 18. Keon Isaac tried his best to defend the small total, grabbing 3/15 in six overs.
Earlier in the day, Merry Boys resuming on 105/4 posted 220 in a rain interrupted second innings. Jeetendra Sookdeo slammed 60, while Akeal Hosein (2/22), Yannic Cariah (2/37) and Narine (2/61) all took two wickets for Queen's Park. Narine, who recently returned from the Indian Premier League, finished the match with six wickets.
Scores
At Inshan Ali Park: Jenexcon Tableland 249 (Evin Lewis 140, William Perkins 46, Amit Maraj 5/30, Philton Williams 4/62) and 200/7 declared (Perkins 46, Silas Cooper 38, Bryan Charles 4/48) vs Preysal 107 (Williams 20, Andre Brown 4/26, Daniel St Clair 3/25, Negus Carthy 3/22) and 122 (Eugene La Fleur 44, Brent Harriot 5/40, Carthy 3/16, St Clair 2/34) Tabeland won by 220 runs.
At Diego Martin Recreational: Merry Boys 113 (Samuel Felix 32, Sunil Narine 4/25, Javon Searles 3/33, Khary Pierre 2/21) and 220 (Jeetendra Sookdeo 60, Akeal Hosein 2/22, Yannic Cariah 2/37, Narine 2/61) vs Queen's Park 277 (Cariah 62, Searles 41 not out, Ricky Jaipaul 4/43, Aneil Kanhai 2/112) and 59/5 (Daron Cruickshank 18, Keon Isaac 3/15) Queen's Park won by five wickets.
At Wilson Road: Jailal Enterprise Victoria 228 (Lincoln Roberts 95, Garey Mathurin 38 not out, Derone Davis 3/44, Samuel Roopnarine 2/33, Kjorn Ottley 2/27) and 184 (Marcelle Jones 67, Romario Sheppard 33, Roopnarine 4/44, Davis 2/52, Yannick Ottley 2/20) vs F.C Clarke Road 201 (Ranga Latchana 58, Yannick Ottley 46, Mathurin 5/67, Kenton Thompson 3/56) and 103/4 (Antonio Greenidge 35, Jyd Goolie 26 not out, Fareel Jugmohan 2/20) Match Drawn.
At Gilbert Park: Alescon Comets 230 (Adrian Ali 89, Kissoondath Magram 43, Allen Laurent 4/60) and 223 (Vikash Mohan 57 not out, Danza Hyatt 50, Jon Russ Jagessar 3/42, Ancil Nedd 3/54) vs Caldrac 170 (De Silva McDavid 28, Sharmarh Brooks 26 not out, Magram 5/38) and 138 (Dejourn Charles 33, Ray Campbell 30, Anthony Simmons 4/33, Magram 4/42, S. Jacobs 2/38) Comets won by 145 runs.