Joseph, Charles guide ‘Pres’ to SSCL title

Allrounder Keron Joseph made 67, while offspinner Brian Charles took three for 31 as Presentation College Chaguanas defeated rivals Naparima College by 22 runs, to be crowned champions of the Powergen Secondary Schools Cricket League 50-over Tournament at Presentation Grounds yesterday. ‘Pres’ finished the ninth and final round of the competition on 137 points, just three ahead of defending champions Hillview College, who recorded a resounding ten-wicket win over Union Claxton Bay at Honeymoon Park, Tacarigua. 

 

Batting first on a tricky pitch, Presentation were restricted to 169 for seven in their 50 overs with Joseph topscoring and Akashay Mangalee chipping in with 21. Kadeem Mohammed was Naparima’s best bowler, taking two for 37, while Jordan Samkaran, Abdul Ali and Jovan Ali picked up a scalp each. Despite useful knocks from Jovan Ali (55) and Samkaran (31), Naparima’s chase was undermined by a disciplined bowling effort from Charles and fellow spinner Kieron Alexander (2-20) and Aleem Khan (2-30). Following the match, coach Lalman Kowlessar said that winning the title had surpassed his expectations. “The boys expected to win. As for me, I’m kind of surprised,” he said, crediting the team’s bowling attack for setting up the victory. 

 

“They’re the ones who pulled us through. They were able to retain line and length and were complimented by fantastic bits of fielding and catching.” Meanwhile, Hillview would have been disappointed to fall short of Presentation’s points tally after trouncing Union Claxton Bay so soundly. Isiah Rajah (3-7) and Brian Christmas (2-7) began the route, helping to bowl out Claxton Bay for 167 before openers Jordan Samkaran (96 n.o.) and Dwayne Cockburn (58 n.o) raced to the target in just 30 overs to set up a bittersweet win. 

 

“We faltered when we lost to Naparima in the sixth round,” said coach Richard Kelly. “We’re disappointed, but we still have the Intercol to look forward to and this will make the team play a lot harder.” In other matches, controversy arose at St Mary’s Ground when the home team, batting first, refused to allow a new ball to be taken when the original was lost 3.5 overs into the game. A dispute with the umpires ensued and the match will be sent to disciplinary committee. Both schools will be required to submit reports of the incident.

 

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