Five years ago, Tariq Mohammed stood still and tears rolled along his cheeks as he was about to switch secondary schools with the hope of having a better future in cricket.
At the time, Presentation College in San Fernando, the school he passed for was not playing top-flight cricket at the Secondary Schools League. Mohammed was almost persuaded to join another institution that was way ahead in terms of their cricket programme and playing at the Premiership level.
He did not want to change school because he was committed to Presentation and thought selflessly at the time in terms of not only taking himself forward but his entire school. A key factor in him considering the change was that Presentation had not played at the Premiership level for some 21 years.
Fast forward five years later to last Monday and he was crying again but it was tears of joy as he took Presentation into the Premiership in guiding them to the South Championship title.
"Pres" defeated Couva East in the final round match to clinch the title and from 2020, the south champion will be playing in the top flight. Mohammed scored 43 in the final effort but this season has been a bumper one for the La Romaine resident. He scored 495 runs at an average of 99.0 and a best of 162.
Speaking to Guardian Media on the entire episode, the right-hander said: “I just wanted to go back to Presentation College and help their cricket. It has been four long, hard years but every year, I told myself that we were one year closer to make the big times. This season the guys really gelled well together, they fought as a unit and they brought their best game forward to make this happen.
"Yes, I did get runs but in no way, it was all me. The entire team battled manfully to win this title. I am so proud of the boys for bringing this win to the school. It will do a lot for Presentation College in terms of development in cricket. The principal and vice-principal have been really wonderful to us in terms of their support and this win is for them.”
On Monday principal Dexter Mitchell and vice principal Kenny Mootoosingh were both present at the last game and they sank to their knees together with the players and supporters after the win, giving praise to "Almighty God".
Asked whether this will be a flash in the pan for Pres, Mohammed said: “We have set in train development programmes for the younger boys coming through and we intend to have a nice feeder programme into the senior team. This is going to be a serious turning point in the history of cricket for Presentation College and we are definitely going to go from strength to strength."
Gopaul grabs 10 wkts for Naps
Allrounder Alix Gopaul has been turning out some brilliant performances for Naparima College in the PowerGen U-14 schools tournament. His efforts thus far have taken his school to three wins and he has collected 10 wickets with his leg-spinners in his last two matches.
In his last match earlier this week, he grabbed 4/14, as Naparima College defeated Williamsville Secondary by 10 wickets. Batting first Williamsville scored 51 all out with Gopaul and Zachary Ramjattan 3/6 the best of the bowlers. Gopaul then opened the batting with wicketkeeper/batsman Jonathan Ramnarace and they reached 52/0 to win the match. Gopaul had 14 not out and Ramnarace 10 not out.
Action in the league continues on Monday.
Trini reaches his 39th century in USA
Former Wanderers and PowerGen player Timmy Surujbally has been scoring hundreds in the United States like it is on clearance and recently racked up his 39th century playing in the South Florida League.
The aggressive right-hander has been in the pink of form this season and continues to be one of the better batsmen on the domestic scene in America. Recently, he struck his highest score of 205 playing for Lauderhill Jammers against Ambassadors. Batting first, Jammers made 425 for two off 35 overs with Surujbally getting 205 and Omari Williams 152 not out. Ambassadors then made 235 losing the high-scoring game. Surujbally and Williams created a record for the highest opening partnership in the US, adding 350 runs.
On the weekend, he smashed century number 39 in taking Lauderhill Jammers to their 41st consecutive victory in the league. The Jammers have now won the championship five times in succession.
The 34-year-old, who also played for the US, has other big scores like 175 not out, 163, 172 not out, 153 not out and 165. He is also a regular at the US Open T20 tournament and the US Nationals.