The Queens, New York-based Richmond Hill Liberty Cricket Club (RHLCC) closes out another successful year on and off the field. The club continued its off-field community outreach activities volunteering with the New York City Parks Department and increased its competition base in an effort to attract more youths who can utilize the support the non-profit organization, Liberty Sports Club, Inc. provides. On the field, the team continued to excel. In total the club organized and played 51 games over the year. In competitions, RHLCC maintained its dominance in Eastern American Cricket Association (EACA) competitions and celebrating a championship in the New York Nationals Cricket League (NYNCL).
The year’s activities began with a tour to sunny, Florida where RHLCC was generously hosted in February by Sarasota International Cricket Club. Following the successful outing down south, the club continued its nets and pre-season preparation. Trinson Carmichael and Joel Boodhoo led the batting in the pre-season, both scoring centuries. Altaaf Habibulla and Jamiel Jackman picked 9 wickets each over the same period to highlight the bowling.
EACA competition commenced in May with the 40 Overs competition. The club continued its dominant run making it its 5th consecutive years appearing in the elite top four of the competition. The club also made it three out of the last four years into the final but came up short to Big Apple Cricket Club.
Dominique Rikhi and Leon Mohabir led the batting and bowling respectively for the 40-Overs competition. Rikhi’s top performance with the bat earned him the 2018 EACA’s Most Valuable Player for the tournament at the League’s award ceremonies.
RHLCC top 3 EACA 40 Overs Batsmen: Dominique Rikhi (412 runs, 59 ave, 1 ton & 3 fifties), Trinson Carmichael (288 runs, 58 ave, 1 century) & Wahid Ward (167 runs, 28 ave, 1 fifty).
RHLCC top 3 EACA 40 Overs Bowlers: Leon Mohabir (17 wkts, 12 ave, 1 five & 2 four-wkts hauls), Altaaf Habibulla (13 wkts, 14 ave, 1 four wkt haul) & Terrence Madramootoo (10 wkts, 24 ave, 1 four wkt haul).
RHLCC top 3 EACA 40 Overs Fielders: Dominique Rikhi 11 dismisslas, Joel Boodhoo 7 dismissals, Altaaf Habibulla 6 dismissals.
Off the field, the club continued its volunteering activities with the NYC Parks department this time working along with the NYC Parks Stewardship Team on a clean-up of trails in Queen’s Forest Park. The volunteer activity adds to the list of previous outreach the club has done which includes a Beach Cleanup event with the NYC Parks Department, Building Painting volunteering event with UHCCSC and Hurricane Relief volunteering event at Coney Island, New York.
In the EACA T20 Competition the club once again turned out strong performances to forge another spot in the playoffs but was disappointingly eliminated in the semi-finals by BACC.
Rikhi and Mohabir once again led the performances in the EACA competition.
RHLCC top 3 EACA 20 Overs Batsmen: Dominique Rikhi (188 runs, 38 ave, 2 fifties), Terrence Madramootoo (117 runs, 39 ave) and Trevor Henry (116 runs, 29 ave)
RHLCC top 3 EACA 20 Overs Bowlers: Leon Mohabir (13 wkts, 5 ave), Trinson Carmichael (7 wkts, 13 ave) and Terrence Madramootoo (6 wkts, 12 ave)
RHLCC top 3 EACA 20 Overs Fielders: Naresh Rambharos 5 dismissals, Trinson Carmichael 4 dismissals, Dominique Rikhi 4 dismissals.
The club extended its competition base joining in the NYNCL and finished runners-up in the 30 overs tournament led by captain and longtime club member, Dilly Khilawan. Later on in the year, the team went on the be crowned Champions of the Twenty20 tournament, led by Terrence Madramootoo.
In addition to competition games, the club participated in hosting two memorial games for individuals who are close to the organization. In June the club participated in the Romano Memorial Game which celebrated the life of young Sahid Ramono. In July RHLCC joined in the celebration of the life our longtime club member, Ricardo Sarjoo, father Mr. Nevil Sarjoo.
The team wrapped up its 2018 activities in early November with a fundraising Casino Bus Trip which turned out to be a great success thanks to the tremendous turn out from our supporters.
As the year wraps up the club wishes to thank our supporters especially our sponsors; Rockaway Group of Companies, B&R Sheet Metals, Cricket Helmet Covers Inc. & Effective Business Solutions, LLC. RHLCC wishes to thank our die-hard supporters who dedicatedly come out to support our events and our games. Lastly, RHLCC would like to extend a huge thank you to all of its 2018 members, especially those in leadership roles, who worked dedicatedly to make it a successful year and help us to continue to build the organization.
With 2018 winding down we extend the warmest wishes to all for the holiday season and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to you and your family. See you all in 2019 when we look to further our efforts to be one of the elite organization in New York focusing on youth mentorship community activity through sports.