Richmond Hill Liberty is already engaged in cricketing activities just a week after they lifted the NYNCL 30 overs Saturday Tournament. They have set their eyes on the next target as they are featuring in two new tournaments played on Saturday (NYNCL & Cricket Zone T20 Cup) and Sunday (NYNCL & Rockaway Group T20 Cup) respectively.
RHL had a rough start as the side lost both of their opening games of the tournaments. Despite a couple of decent performances, the team struggled to leave an impact in the opening statement. Half-centuries from Tegana Mc Kenzie (62 off just 28 balls) and Umar Rauf (50 off 41) along with Altaf Habibulla’s 3 for 32 showed propitious signs moving ahead into the tournament.
NYNCL & Cricket Zone T20 Cup: League
Richmond Hill Liberty 157/7 (20 overs) lost to GT All Stars 158/7 (19.4 overs) by 3 wickets
RHL won the toss and decided to bat first but their openers went early in the proceedings for 3 and 5 respectively. The middle-order showed some resistance but were unable to provide the support required to lift the total to a decent number. It was the skipper Tegana Mc Kenzie whose quick fired half-century 62 off just 28 balls at the end led the team to 157/7 in their quota of 20 overs.
In reply, RHL had the opposition batters guessing with their superb line & length in the first five overs of their innings. By the end of the 4th over GT All Stars had already lost three of their opening batters with just 18 runs on the board. RHL bowlers failed to capitalise on the start provided by the opening pair as GT All Stars batters made a strongback with handy partnerships. Altaf Habibullah and Paul continued to dismantle the wickets as both of them accumulated 5 wickets in their spell of 8 overs. After a fascinating period of Play GT All Stars finally managed to win the game in the last over of their innings with 2 balls to spare.
Former RHL star Dino Chooweenam was named the MOM award for his bowling efforts in the first innings
NYNCL & Rockaway Group T20 Cup: League
Richmond Hill Liberty 126/9 (20 overs) lost to Team United Fighters 127/3 (12.2/20 overs) by 7 wickets
Batting first after calling the coin correctly RHL had a promising start collecting 50 runs in 8 overs without losing a wicket. However, the side tumbled down quickly after losing the first wicket. Umar Rauf scored a gritty half-century including 2 sixes and 5 boundaries, he finished with 50 off 41 balls to give something for the bowlers to fight for. RHL ended up with 126 runs against 9 wickets.
In return, RHL tried every option available to them but Team United Fighters were too good for them. They chased down the target in the thirteenth over with 7 wickets remaining. Jamiel Jackman was the only successful bowler as he took 2 wickets in his spell of 2.2 overs
An early defeat will surely dent the confidence of the side but at the same time provides an opportunity to rectify the mistakes and come back stronger in the games to follow.
The 2021 Liberty Sports Club Inc. is based in Queens, New York, and is locally supported by SVC LLC, Century 21 Professional at 119-17 Rockaway Blvd, Cricket Zone USA, Galaxy Maids, MBSetting.com, Bhesham Plumbing and Heating, Rockaway Group of Companies, EBS, LLC, and Cricket Helmet Covers, Inc. The club is always welcoming to any new members. Reach out to us via our social media sites by searching ‘Richmond Hill Liberty Cricket Club’ or @LibertySportsC and www.LibertySportsClub.org