Queen's Park Cricket Club captain Justin Guillen and Yannic Carriah both scored half-centuries and left-arm spinner Kharry Pierre nabbed four wickets, as they led their team to the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) 50 overs title on Sunday night at the Brian Lara Academy in Tarouba, San Fernando on Sunday night, with an 89-run win over FC Clarke Road United.
Firstly, Guillen and Carriah took their team to a competitive 272 for nine batting first on a good track. Guillen lived charmed life but was able to crack 77 off 115 balls with two sixes and five fours. He and Tion Webster started slowly and added 39 before Webster left for 24 having struck five beautiful fours. The left-hander forged a century partnership with Carriah that made the difference.
Carriah slammed 67 off 73 balls with three fours and a six. When Guillen left, Carriah formed another useful association with Akeal Hosein that was worth 41 runs for the fourth wicket. Towards the end of the innings, Javon Searles hit a 16-ball 24. The best of the bowlers for Clarke Road was Jamaican professional Odean Smith who grabbed 2/37.
Clarke Road raced to 31 without loss through brave batting by Kyle Hope and Nicholas Sookdeosingh but a double strike by the Northerners stop the flow of runs.
Clarke Road was always behind the game from that point never really looked as if they would have gotten close to the target.
Yannick Ottley looked good in getting 47, while towards the end Dean Smith bludgeoned 53, as Clarke Road was finally bowled out for 183 with 16 overs to spare. Pierre who was named as a reserve player for the West Indies at the upcoming World Cup grabbed four wickets for 24 runs.
Queen's Park for their efforts gained the first prize of $65,000 and retained the title they won in 2017. Last year there was no tournament held amongst the clubs as the TTCB due to lack of funding made it a Zonal tournament.
SCORES
At BLCA: QPCC 272/9 (50) (Justin Guillen 77, Yannic Carriah 67, Javon Searles 24, Odean Smith 2/37) vs FC Clarke Road 183 all out (34) (Odean Smith 53, Yannick Carriah 47, Khary Pierre 4/24). QPCC won by 89 runs.