Defending champions D'Crushers suffered a shock defeat in their opening match of the Harvard Club April Fest Windball Cricket (Eight Overs) tournament at the Club's Ground on Tragerete Road, Woodbook, Port-of-Spain on Saturday (April 6).
D'Crushers were beaten by Hit List by four wickets in a low-scoring encounter in the second match of the night.
The 2023 winners batted first and were restricted to 19 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the allocated eight overs. Ryan Sankar and Sarindra Ramdhanie were the top scorers getting to seven and four, respectively. Brian Parris' two wickets for two runs and Imran Khan's 2-3 led the bowling attack for Hit List. Trevor Rajkumar (1-1) and Addicia Smith (1-5) were among the wicket-takers.
In pursuit of 20 for victory, the Hit List were in early trouble with the loss of three wickets for only two runs and were in further woes at 9/5. Persad Bedassie was the chief wicket-getter with three scalps for two runs. His brother Rudie claimed 1-3. However, their bowling efforts were not enough to prevent Hit List from getting to their target score of 20/6.
Despite his team's defeat, Bedassie was named "Player of the Match".
Not Jus Fun was a comfortable winner over D'Drink Spot in the final match of the evening.
D'Drink Spot batted first and got to 21/7. Zephan Richards (6), James Sooknarine (4), Stefan Gopie (3) and Verindra Boodram (3) all contributed to their team's total. Marcus Chandool (1-2) were among five bowlers who captured one wicket each for Not Jus Fun. In pursuit of 22 for the win, Not Jus Fun romped to victory, losing only one wicket, Gabriel Biguette for three.
His relative Christopher Biguette, and Chandool saw the team to the finish, both were on seven not out. Chandool was adjudged the "Player of the Match".
Universal Flippers registered a three-wicket triumph over Cheers in the opening match of the day. Cheers took the crease first and were at 29/6 at the end of the innings. Richard Sokram (7), Brendan Jones (4) and Adrian Joseph (4) were the top scorers.
Christopher Bhandad led the fall of wickets for Cheers with two run outs. Reuben Adams was among the four bowlers who took one wicket each. In the run chase, Flippers reached 30/7 for wicket with one ball to spare. Dexter Randhanie headed the scoring with eight, which included one six. Adams (6) and Kerry Joseph (3) added to the team's total. Sheldon Thomas pushed for wickets for Cheers with 2-3 while Vishal Persaud and Joseph landed a wicket each. Adams was named "Player of the Match".
D'Crushers will seek to rebound from their opening defeat when they face host Harvard Warriors on the next match day, Friday from 8 pm. Warriors will also be aiming for a win after losing to Travelers by eight wickets on the first day of the tournament on Friday.
WSC and Universal Flippers will then battle in the second match set for 9.30 pm. Both teams are going for their second victory. WSC won the opening match of the tournament after getting the better of One Bounce by five wickets.
Eleven teams are participating in this year's edition of the competition. The clubs are playing in three groups with the first two in each group after the league stage advancing to the quarterfinals set for May 3 and 4. The three third-placed teams will play for the final two quarterfinal spots on April 27. The semifinals are carded for May 10 with the third play-off and finals listed for May 11, the final day of play. The winners will take home a challenge trophy and $3,500.
The cost of entry is free. The matches will be played on Fridays and Saturdays with two and three matches from 8 pm and 6.30 pm on the playing days, respectively.
The sponsors of the Harvard Club April Fest Windball tournament are Angostura Limited, Carib Brewery, Caribbean Bottlers T&T Limited, Norman Industries Limited, A.S. Bryden and Sons (Trinidad) Limited, Massy Distribution, Holiday Snacks Limited, The Fan Club, Associated Brands Limited, National Flour Mills Limited, Sheldon Chariandy, Robin Ramdeen, Kishore Williams and Azad Ali.
Saturday's Scores:
Match 3 Flippers vs Cheers
CHEERS 29/6 (8overs) (Richard Sookrram 7; Sheldon Thomas 2 for 3, Vishal Persaud 1-1, Adrian Joseph 1-4) vs FLIPPERS 30/7 (7.5 overs) (Dexter Ramdhanie 8, Rueben Adams 6 no; Sheldon Lloyd 1-2, Reuben Adams 1-5, Dexter Ramdhanie 1-3, Richard Sookrram 1-2). Flippers win by 3 wickets.
Player of the Match: Reuben Adams (Flippers)
Hit List vs D'Crushers
D'CRUSHERS 19/8 (8 overs) (Ryan Sankar 7 no, Sarindra Ramdanie 4; Persad Bedassie 3-2, Rude Bedassie 1-3) vs HIT LIST 20/6 (4.3 overs) (Nigel Hitlal 4, Addicia Smith 2 no; Brian Parris 2-2, Imran Khan 2-3, Addicia Smith 1-5, Trevor Rajkimar 1-1). Hit List won by 4 wickets.
Player of the Match: Persad Bedassie (D'Crushers)
Not Jus Fun vs D Drinks Spot
D'DRINK SPOT 21/7 (8 overs) (Zephan Richards 6, James Sooknarine 4; James Sooknarine 1-2) vs NOT JUS FUN 22/1 (5.4 overs) (Christophere Biguette 7 no, Marcus Chandool 7 no; Anthony George 1-4, Dion Rampaul 1-4, Marcus Chandool 1-2, Gabriel Biguette 1-3, Gregory Webb 1-3). Not Jus Fun won by seven wickets.
Player of the Match: Marcus Chandool (Not Jus Fun)
Friday's matches
D'Crushers vs Harvard Warriors, 8 pm
WSC vs Universal Flippers, 9.30 pm