Presentation College San Fernando (Pres Sando) is the new PowerGen Secondary Schools Cricket League (SSCL) Premier Division 50-Over champion. Pres Sando completed the tournament unbeaten as it punished St Benedict’s College by nine wickets to finish with an 8-0 record in the league on Tuesday.
Coming into the last match of the season, Pres Sando knew its fate was in its own hands as a win would gift them the title, but a loss and a Presentation Chaguanas (Pres Chag) win away to Naparima College could have spoilt their day.
At Union Hall, San Fernando, skipper Nickyle Jalim won the toss and sent the La Romaine-based school in to bat first.
St Benedict’s lost their first wicket on 24 when Jonathan Jebodh was caught behind for six off the bowling of Aidian Racha. They lost Luke Harding temporarily when he was stuck on the body by a ball from medium-pacer Ricardo Chase and left the field.
The visitors slipped to 49/4 when Josh Telemaque was dismissed (along with Benedict’s hopes of a challenging total) for 33. St Benedict’s was eventually bowled out for 85 in 35.4 overs.
No one else got to double figures as Chis Sadanan, Nickel Mentor, and Aiden Basdeo (not out), each made nine.
Chase was the pick of the Presentation bowlers, with figures of 4-19. Khaleem Mohammed got 3-1 and skipper Jalim got 2-14 for the winner.
In Presentation's pursuit of the runs, they had no major hiccups as they got the winning runs - a Riyaad Mohammed boundary - in the first ball of the 16th over, getting to 89/1.
Big-hitter Khaleem Mohammed continued his fine form scoring 43, while his partner Riyaad Mohammed got to 32 not out, as they won by nine wickets and claim the championship.
Their Chaguanas "brothers" were in with a slight chance to lift the title, as Pres Chag needed to beat Naparima College at Lewis Street, San Fernando, and hope that the San Fernando team lose to St Benedict’s.
While they had no control over what took place at Union Hall, they knew they need to take care of business against Naparima.
They took the first strike and scored 218 all out in 49 overs. Enrico Premchan top-scored with 70 and Dillon Balkaran scored 35. Luke Ali scored 27.
The pick of the bowlers for "Naps" was Matthew Cooper, who took 2-20, Jermey Singh claimed 2-27, and Alex Gopaul secured 2-34.
Naparima, who started the season brightly but their wheels fell off the wagon, lost consecutive matches to Pres Sando and Hillview, appeared to be low on confidence, and was restricted to 174/7 in their 50 overs.
Gopaul was their best batsman, as he made 60 and Randel Gopaul added 25. For Presentation, Thomas Walsh had figures of 3-41 and Rajesh Maharaj had three wickets for the cost of 31 runs as their team completed the 44-run win.
However, Pres Chag was good enough for second place.
BRIEF SCORES:
At Lewis Street, San Fernando: Pres Chaguanas 218 all out (49 overs) (Enrico Premchan 70, Dillon Balkaran 35, Luke Ali 27, Matthew Cooper 2-20, Jeremy Singh 2-27, Alex Gopaul 2-34) vs Naps 174/7 (50 overs) (Alex Gopaul 60, Randel Gopaul 25, Thomas Walsh 3-41, Rajesh Maharaj 2-31).
Presentation Collage San Fernando won by 44 runs
At Union Hall, San Fernando: St Benedict’s College 85 (35.4 overs) (Josh Telemaque 33, Ricardo Chase 4-19, Khaleem Mohammed 3-1, Nickyle Jalim 2-14) vs Presentation College San Fernando 87/1 in 15.1 overs (Khaleem Mohammed 43, Rayad Mohammed 32 no, Kristoff Seeraj 2-13)
Presentation College Chaguanas won by 9 wickets.
At St Mary’s, Port of Spain: St Mary’s College 158 (41 overs) (Zobari Romany 32, Adrian Mahas 6 for 23) vs Fatima College 73 for 2 in 16.2 overs (Joshua Davis 30 not out, Samir Saroop 1-13).
Fatima College won by 8 wickets revised run rate.
At Knowles Street, Curepe: Vishnu Boys College 332 for 8 in 50 Overs (Andrew Rambaran 168, Rajeev Ramnath 63, Qaadir Juman 4-70, Rajeev Ramgoolie 2-43) vs Hillview College 186 for 6 in 50 overs (Rajeev Ramgoolie 79, Luke Mulchansingh 50 not out, Rajeev Ramnath 2-29, Aidan Lakhansingh 2-34).
Vishnu Boys won by 185 runs.