Enterprise Tops Canal In Division 1B 30-overs Final

What a day for cricket is was, as NYSLC held four finals on a beautiful day, made for cricket.

In the Division 1B tournament, the James Persaud led Canal XI finished the competition in spectacular fashion with a 6-1 record, after dominating the opposition in their scheduled fixtures. On the other side of the coin Enterprise also dominated its peers, resulting in a similar a 6-1 record.

Enterprise cricket club.

The Canal vs. Enterprise match was billed to be a thrilling one, and it was indeed, as the young Canal team was very agile in the field and backed up by some excellent opening bowling. After Enterprise captain David Dataram won the toss, he wasted no time and elected to take first strike, with a wonderful outfield and no doubt a large total in mind.

However, Canal had other ideas, when they had Enterprise opener Mike Persaud, who in the semi-final made 48, caught early for a duck off the bowling of Rishi Baldeo. What was even worse, he also had D. Pooran, a close ally of Canal and a dangerous batsman, out the very next delivery. To the delight of the Canal team, the score was then 2 for 11. In stepped R. Barron who throughout the competition batted superbly, but again Canal was on fire and when the score was 24, Rishi Baldeo struck again bowling Barron behind his back for 9. The score was then 24 for3.

The large group of Enterprise supporters was quiet and in obvious shock, as Manoj Sukhra and M. Singh sought to repair the earlier damage. After some good hitting by Sukhra combined with some dropped catches by Canal, he eventually fell for 21, closely followed by M. Singh, who had a patient knock of 23. The score was then 66 for 5.

At the half way mark Enterprise found themselves in a position they never was before – 68 for 5. Most teams in that position would have folded, but Jeff Shivdyal and David Dataram did not let that happen and started to pick up the run rate, putting on a nice partnership to bring some decency to the score and delight of the crowd. After the fall of Dataram for 12, and the score at 100 for 6, Sunil Seepersaud joined Jeff Shivdyal and together they enjoyed a partnership of 43.

Jeff Shivdyal fell for a well-made 35, with Enterprise at 143 for 7. Seepersaud was the next to go, after a workmanlike and much needed innings of 28, with Enterprise climbing to 157 for 9. Canal then wrapped up the innings, with S. Budhram, 04 and Ravi, 00 n.o., and the final score at 161. It was not what Enterprise had in mind, because such a score was certainly possible at that ground. The pick of the Canal bowlers were Amar Singh 3 for 28, J. Persaud 3 for 30, and R. Baldeo 3 for 35.

In reply, Canal gave Enterprise some early headaches with their openers batting really well, especially Amar Singh, but the breakthrough came when Singh was brilliantly caught by Dataram diving low to his left off the bowling of M. Singh for 26. Canal was then 24 for 1. Deodat, 18, Harriprashad, 15, D. Singh, 15, made worthwhile contributions, as Canal was playing well at the half way point and well poised at 77 for 4.

Enterprise had to get wickets and quickly to arrest the momentum from Canal. Steve Ramsumar took a marvelous catch to start the Canal downfall, as Barron who was on target clean bowled Baldeo for 04 and Basil for 00. The pressure was kept up by Sukhra who took two wickets, including the scalp of the dangerous Anand Singh for 05. Despite some resistance from Ravi, 15, and James, 09, Enterprise kept Canal at bay, with the team eventually being all out for 143.

Bowling for Enterprise: M. Singh 3 for 22, S. Ramsumar 2 for 25, R. Barron 2 for 13, and M. Sukhra 2 for 11, were responsible for the Canal scalps.

The official scorer was Arnold Seemangal.

Congrats to the Canal team for playing such a competitive game. Thanks to the umpires for doing such a marvelous job, and thanks to the many supporters, especially Paul and his crew, Dave, Mickey, and Local Boys Cricket Club, who won 3rd place in their Division 2B match.

The Enterprise Cricket Club wishes to thank everyone who donated to the fundraising effort of their good friend Boi.
Larry Mohabir, Manager/Player and Harold Rickheeram, President of Enterprise Cricket Club contributed to this story.