We could bother to… we could bother to set the record straight and explain that Richmond Hill Liberty Cricket Club (RHLCC) has been the top team in the Eastern American Cricket Association (EACA) over the last five years. We could bother to explain that no other team has won more EACA 40-Overs championships over that period, no other teams have won more league or play off games and no other team has topped the league more times. We could bother to explain that RHLCC have consistently sported the league’s leading scorers and wicket takers in its squad. We could even bother to blame the umpires. But none of that would change the fact that for three consecutive seasons RHLCC have lost an EACA 40-Over final, this season to a dominant Galaxy Cricket Club (GCC) who captured their maiden title in fine fashion.
Yes, since 2015 when RHLCC, then Liberty Sports Club prior to the merger with Richmond Hill, made its first appearance in the ‘EACA Big 4’, the club has been the winningest team in the league. The stat reads 53 wins and 12 losses over those five years, second best is at 41 and 18. Over that time RHLCC has topped the league 3 times, the next best teams only managed 1 time each. RHLCC has appeared in 9 playoff games and won 5, the next best has appeared in 6 and won 3. RHLCC has appeared in 4 of the last 5 finals and won the championship once, the next best team has appeared in 2 finals and won 1 championship with three other teams appearing once and winning.
Yes, there were a few umpiring calls which went against RHLCC in the final which we should, but won’t stoop to that level, blast the umpires about. But none of that changes the fact that for three consecutive years we were just second best on the day of the EACA final.
In mid 80 degree F weather with bright sunshine on Sunday, August 18th RHLCC won the toss and confidently inserted Galaxy Cricket Club. Restricting the batting side to 153 for 5 in the 26th over the decision seemed sound but one man stood in the way, Jonathan Foo. Now we can bother to explain as much as we can but letting off a dangerous unit like Foo on 1 before he is settled and in his mid 30’s when he was getting into his groove is the cardinal sin in the religion of cricket. And such sins deserves the wrath of the higher being. Foo took advantage of the chances and cashed in with 5 sixes and 2 fours on his way to watchful 45 ball fifty. He would finish 10 runs short of his century off just 68 balls adding 4 more maximums to set GCC up with a challenging but not insurmountable 270 runs. Support for Foo came from Moshin Perkhan 29 who was the next best scorer. Altaaf Habibulla and Inzy Khan were the pick of the bowlers for RHLCC with 3 wickets each.
The RHLCC chase rocketed out of the blocks powered by Dino Chooweenam’s 30 off 11 balls but that was quickly brought to an end when Chooweenam miscued Seon Daniels. A questionable leg before wicket decision accounted for skipper Dominique Rikhi and from there onwards the chase never gained momentum. Trevor Henry coming in a number four fought valiantly to top score with 39 but everytime a partnership started his partner would depart. Not helpful is the fact that RHLCC’s planned number three batsman Azeem Khan was injured while fielding forcing him to bat later in the inning. Eventually the inning was wrapped up with 10.1 overs left unaccounted for and RHLCC falling short by a massive 110 runs. Foo played a crucial role in the GCC bowling rounding a clear Player of the Match performance. He opened the bowling and finished with 8 overs, 3 maidens, 1 wicket for 15 runs. Two wickets each were picked up by Vejay Seonarine, Karan Ganesh and Hemendra Ramdihal and Seon Daniels.
The win marks a well deserved maiden EACA Division 1 championship for GCC in just their first appearance after entering the league in just under 10 years.
The two teams clashed in the opening weekend of the EACA T20 tournament where once again GCC came out on top with a low scoring 3 wicket victory at Bay Park. Scores from that match were RHLCC 92 for 7 off 20 overs with Altaaf Habibulla’s 38 being the match high score and two wickets each for Mark Tyrell, Vejay Seonarine and Karan Ganesh. Hemendra Ramdihal top scored with 33 as GCC edged home with 8 balls to spare.
The EACA T20 competition will continue following the Labor Day Weekend break as the league wraps up its games. Fixtures for the post berak games are not yet out but the T20 tournament is expected to bring sufficient excitement as teams reset and look to charge for the championship which is being defended by Everest/ACS.
The 2019 Liberty Sports Club Inc. is based in Queens, New York and is locally supported by SVC Sawh Voltcomm, Century 21 Professional at 119-17 Rockaway Blvd, B & R Sheet Metal Corp, Rockaway Group of Companies, New York National Cricket League, EBS, LLC and Cricket Helmet Covers, Inc. The club has open membership to all who are interested. Reach out to us via our social media sites by searching ‘Richmond Hill Liberty Cricket Club’ or @LibertySportsC and www.LibertySportsClub.org.