The rampant Liberty Sports Club was denied a double championship by Everest/ACS last Sunday. Following their championship win in the EACA Cricket Zone 40-Overs competition and playing in the EACA Brian Singh T20 final at the Baisley Cage opposition, E/ACS, held their nerves to bring home a chase of 164 for victory to claim the 2015 T20 Championship. Earlier in the day LSC turned in another commanding performance against NY-Centurion in the semi-final with a 40 runs victory.
Semi-Final: LSC vs NY-Centurion
Damp conditions from early morning dew forced NY-Centurion to ask Liberty SC to bat first after winning the toss. Romeno Deane, coming off scoring a brilliant 83 in the quarter-final, took guard with Anthonio Chan. The opening pair put up 21 before Chan was out caught for 9. Deane maintained the inning’s momentum but kept losing partners at regular intervals.
The dominant left hander struck three fours and four sixes on his way to a half century. Deane hit another six before being dismissed for 61, albeit with his fair share of lives afforded by some sloppy fielding from NY-Centurions. At 103 for for 4 when Deane departed in the 11th over LSC was well set to post a total in excess of 170. Some disciplined bowling from the Red Squad kept things tight and reduced LSC to 130 for 7 in the 17th over.
Hemendra Ramdihal (20) and Vijendra Singh (16) would together add 31 for the 8th wicket to boost #TheBlueNation to 161 in the last over. Eventually bowled out for 163, LSC had a total to work with.
Bowling for NY-Centurion Carlos Bachu was the pick of the lot with 4 for 23. Vijay Persaud picked up 2 for 27 while Carlos Baker and Joel Boodhoo picked up one wicket each.
Ritish Bridgelall got the NY-C chase off with a bang, hitting the first ball for 4. The second ball from Trinson Carmichael climbed up in Bridgelall’s grill and opened up a gash above his right eye forcing him to leave the pitch for medical attention.
Naresh Rambharos joined Gomes and with some lusty blows raced NY-C to 39 in the 5th over before Rambharos was brilliantly run out by Andre Kirton at short cover. Gomes followed shortly after skying one to short mid wicket. Troy Haley and Bridgelall, who returned after wrapping up his gash, put on 27 before Haley tamely prodded one to short cover.
Persaud added 6 runs before he was run out after injudiciously chancing the arm of Carmichael for a 2nd. At 92 for 4 in the 13th over the game still was in a balance. Bridgelall was looking determined to take home the victory. Captain Raj Sewanan batted with the young right hander but was forced to retire after some aggressive running between the wickets. Vijendra Singh picked up two quick wickets in the 16th over and Kirton picked up Bridgelall in the 17th over to bring the game fully in LSC’s favor. The NY-C inning was wrapped up in the 19th over when Bachu was run out for 0 giving LSC a 40 runs victory.
Bowling for LSC Singh and Leon Mohabir picked up 2 wickets each while Kirton and Ramdihal snagged 1 a piece.
The win meant Liberty SC would meet Everest/ACS in the final. E/ACS had earlier defeated Galaxy CC in their semi-final match up.
Final – Liberty SC vs Everest/ACS
Terry Hastoo won the toss and inserted LSC to bat first. The decision proved worthwhile when LSC was reduced to 73 for 4 in the 14th over when they lost power hitter, Terrence Madramootoo. It was 94 for 5 when Trinson Carmichael departed and the LSC camp was hoping for a total around 130 to make things competitive.
Hemendra Ramdihal would join Andre Kirton at the crease and put on an astounding 70 off just 30 balls. Kirton delivered one of his typical lusty finishes hitting four sixes and and four to score 36 off just 17 balls. It was Ramdihal, however, who stole the show in the firework filled partnership. The left hander blasted four 4’s and 4 maximums to hammer 44 off 14 balls.
The partnership ensured that the many fans on hand will witness a competitive match. Bowling for E/ACS Karan Ganesh picked up 2 for 49 while Charlton Senior, Trevor Walke and Deveshwari Prashad picked up one wicket each.
Eleven runs off the first three balls in the inning got E/ACS off to a flying start. Trinson Carmichael drew things even with the last ball over the over bowling Steve Nowrangilall. Nine runs later Carmichael would strike again to remove Wasim Haslem and Muneshwar Patandin fell six balls later to leave the chase at 20 for 3 in the 4th over. Prashad offered a chance his first ball but it was floored and from there onwards he made the most of it.
Six 6’s and a boundary later Prashad raced to 56 off 30 balls and along with Karan Ganesh 38 off 39 balls put on 111 runs for the 4th wicket. Kirton remved Prashad off a sharp catch by Madramootoo and Leon Mohabir returned to take two crucial wickets. Ganesh and Zamin Amin, who had hit three fours for his 19 off 11 balls.
With 23 to get off 22 balls at the fall of Amin’s wicket the game was left in a balance. It was the experience of E/ACS that took control though while the young LSC unit made key fielding errors as the game came down to the finish. Hastoo and Shiv Seemangal carefully maneuvered the chase home with 3 balls remaining in the inning to bring home the win and capture the 2015 EACA T20 Title.
Bowling for LSC Kirton, Carmichael and Mohabir picked up 2 wickets each.
Liberty Sports club extends congratulations to Everest/ACS on winning the T20 title. LSC would also like to thank the EACA Executives and the umpire’s association for organizing another great year of cricket. Special thanks goes out to our sponsors Rockaway’s Royal Empress Catering Hall and GMA Enterprise. Finally we would like to thank and congratulate all of the players and members of LSC who made the 2015 season their most successful one.
The 2015 Liberty Sports Club is sponsored by GMA Enterprise Real Estate & Tax Services, located on 122nd St & Liberty Ave and Royal Empress Catering Hall, located on 122nd St & Rockaway Blvd. Please visit their website www.gmaenterprise.com