Diminutive opener Nicholas Sookdeosingh gave F&E Diamond United a rough welcome to their first game in the Premiership by scoring a brilliant 210 at Syne Village in Penal.
Sookdeosingh and Sherwin Ganga 100, took PowerGen to 352 for two declared and by the end of play Diamond were in dire straits at 84 for nine � 268 runs adrift. When play started Sookdeosingh signaled his intentions early by going after the inexperienced Diamond bowlers. He lost Gibran Mohammed with the score at 44 and then combined with Ganga to post 256 runs for the second wicket.
The left handed Sookdeosingh faced 196 balls during his epic 260-minute knock and struck 20 fours and five sixes much to the delight of the home fans. Ganga was also in fine form and faced just 114 balls in 156 minutes batting. He struck seven fours and two sixes.
When Diamond went in, they lost wickets at regular intervals and only Guyanese import Vishal Singh with an unbeaten 49 offered any resistance. Bowling for PowerGen left arm spinners Dave Mohammed 3/17 and Jovan Ali 3/19 did the damage. The returning Samuel Badree grabbed 2/21 to add to the woes.
At Aranguez, the home team grabbed first innings points of Esmeralda. Batting first Aranguez made 166 all out with Jonathan Cabralis getting 53 and Vikash Mohan 63. Esmeralda in response folded for just 113 with Teshawn Castro scoring 35. Rakesh Seecharan with 5/38 was the pick of the bowlers for Aranguez, while Kelum Carmichael took 2/26. In their second innings, closed on 18 without loss for an overall lead of 71 runs.
The surprise of the round surrounded defending champions Queen's Park who lost on first innings to Bamboo at Bamboo Number Two. The Parkites seriously depleted with many players on West Indies and national duties, made only 150 batting first. Isiah Rajah topscored with 41, while Petrock Nicholas made 23. Kelvin Jacobs bowled very well and nabbed four for 63.
Bamboo in reply got 97 from Deepak Kumar as they inched past the QPCC total in reaching 177 all out. Akeal Hosein grabbed 4/45 and Anthony Simmons 3/51 to keep the Oval Boys in the game. With the T&T team struggling in the batting department in the regional series currently on, former captain Daren Ganga issued a timely reminder to the selectors of his credentials as he slapped 62 for Alescon Comets against Caldrac at California. His effort enabled his team to reach 251 all out. He was ably supported by wicketkeeper/batsman Stephen Katwaroo who scored 48. Caldrac was then left struggling at 144/9 at the end of play as Richard Kelly 3/29 and Ancil Bhaggan 3/49 proved difficult.
At Wilson Road in Penal a keen tussle is on for first innings between Merryboys and Clarke Road. Merryboys taking first strike made 211 all out with Marlon Richards getting 53 and Atiba Allert 41. Clarke Road then lost three quick wickets in reply but then were propped up by an unbeaten 54 from Guyanese Rangana Latchana and 21 not out from Sean Siloch to close the day on 127/3. When play resumes today, they will be looking for another 85 runs to get first innings points with seven wickets in hand.
ROUND ONE
DAY ONE SCORES
At Syne Village: PowerGen 352/3 dec (Nicholas Sookdeosingh 210, S Ganga 100) vs F&E Diamond United 84 for 9 (Vishal Singh 49no, Dave Mohammed 3/17, Samuel Badree 2/21, Jovan Ali 3/19).
At Aranguez SC: Batted first - Aranguez 166 all out (Jonathan Carabalis 53, Vikash Mohan 62, K. Sirjoo 3/28, R. Jagpaul 3/26) and 18/0 vs Esmeralda 113 all out (Teshawn Castro 35, Rakesh Seecharan 5/38, Kelum Carimichael 2/26).
At Bamboo: Batted first - QPCC 150 all out (Isiah Raja 41, Petro Nicholas 23, Khary Pierre 20, Kelvin Jacobs 4/63, V. Senath 3/26, Ryan Baksh 2/29 vs Bamboo - 177 all out (Depak Kumar 97, Krishna Arjoon 23, Akeal Hosein 4/45, Anthony Simmons 3/51)
At California: Comets 251 all out (61.3 overs) - Daren Ganga 62, Stephen Katwaroo 48, Richard Kelly 26, Christopher Vincent 3/31, Ancil Neade 2/37, Teelucksingh 2/60) vs Caldrac 144/9 (42.3 overs) - Mark Deale 37, Antonio Arjus 20, Franklyn Rouse 16, Richard Kelly 3/29, Ancil Bhagan 3/49, Kisoondath Magram 2/20).
At Wilson Road: Merryboys 211 all out (Marlon Richards 58, Atiba Allert 41, Troy Cornelius 31, Kastri Singh 26no, Shazan Babwah 3/26, Mukesh Persad 3/84, Sanjeev Gooljar 3/72) vs Clarke Road 127/3 (Rangana Latchana 54no, Sean Siloch 21no).
