West Indian Softball Association
Cornered Tigers Are Finally Champions

Darshan Chickery
June 16, 2008
It took Cornered Tigers a few years to achieve the ultimate accomplishment in any sport – win a championship. They did, and in grand style at the expense of Deluxe Cricket Club. Cornered Tigers beat Deluxe by 129 runs to win WISA’s 25 Overs Premier Division championship.

As is customary, every time Cornered Tigers makes it to a final, their off the field preparations never fail to amaze its spectators and supporters. With its tent erected out of harms way and lots to eat and drink, the atmosphere had a feel of a fun-day.

For the past two years, some observers thought, Cornered Tigers placed too much emphasis on their off-field preparations that were not game related, hence, it is believed, that it cost them actual game(s).

Cornered Tigers had to be aware of this observation by many. Aware or not, they came prepared to play, on the field, and as a result won and got to celebrate their accomplishment.

The sound of ‘tassa’ drum during the game was entertaining for Cornered Tigers and its supporters. However, it was anything but entertaining to Deluxe. As a matter, of fact, it infuriated them to the point that the umpires had intervene on their behalf on few occasions.

Winning the toss, Cornered Tigers decided to bat first. F. Samad and M. Khan opened the batting. They got off to a flying start putting up 60 in eight overs, before Khan was caught off the bowling of Ravi Lutchman for 30. His knock was filled with multiple chances, thanks to very poor fielding by the Deluxe Cricket Club.

Asif Khan joined Samad and the two batted with caution as A. Narine and Ravi Lutchman were doing a great job containing the batsmen. Samad lost its patience and fell prey to A Narine when he was caught for 30. Cornered Tigers was 69 fro 2 at the end of the 11th over.

G. Gopaul joined Asif Khan and together, they took the score to 80 for 2 at the break (13 overs).

Khan and Gopaul put on 42 for the third wicket before Khan was stumped, off the bowling of Narine for 17. Cornered Tigers was 108 for three at the end of the seventeenth over.

At the close of their inning, Cornered Tigers had amassed a whopping 170 for 9. In addition to the contributions mentioned above, D. Singh added 26. A. Narine and Ravi Lutchman were Deluxe’s best bowlers with 3 for 31 and 2 for 22 respectively.

Ask to score 6.8 runs per over, Deluxe was in trouble from the ‘get go’. They lost their first wicket when C. Validem was bowled by D. Singh in the first over. Singh struck again in his second over when A. Goolsaran was bowled for 2. Deluxe were trouble at 6 for 2 at the end of the third over.

With no answer for Cornered Tigers’ bowling or in Deluxe’s opinion – ‘pelting’, they were bowled out for an embarrassing 41. None of their batsmen got into double figures.

D. Singh and G. Gopaul had stellar figures of 3 wickets for 4 runs and 3 wickets for 7 runs respectively. S. Persaud and V. Singh supported them well with one wicket apiece.

After the game, Deluxe voiced its displeasure of being ‘sore losers’ among other ‘gripes’ by not participating as a team at the Presentation. They sent a lone representative who was very gracious in congratulating Cornered Tigers. Cornered Tigers Captain proudly accepted the winner’s trophy and thanked the league and his team for the opportunity.

Tamarind Root – Div. II Champions
Tamarind Root Cricket Club beat Exquisite Realty by six wickets to take home the WISA 25 Overs Division II championship last Sunday at Charles Drew Park.

Exquisite Realty batted first and made 110 all out off 20.5 overs. M. Azeez top scored with 24. R. Singh supported him with 17 while Everton and Leon Dharry contributed with 13 apiece. A. Charitar was Tamarind Root’s ‘destroyer’ with six wickets for 12 runs. S. Bhairo supported him with three wickets for twenty runs.

Tamarind Root was 105 for 4 off 22.1 overs when Exquisite Realty conceded the game. A. Charitar top scored with 33 while R. Sukhdeo and R. Gopie made 18 each.

30 Overs Round Up.
Premier Elite
Ocean’s XI beat Rebels by nine wickets.
Rebels: 65 all out. L. Mohan 3 for 18, H. Mohan 2 for 12
Ocean’s XI: 69 for 1. L. Mohan 33

Wild Bunch beat Majestics by 133 runs
Wild Bunch: 202. Ian Bhagwandin 88
Majestics: 69 all out.

Dynasty beat Warriors by 25 runs
Dynasty 167 all out. P. Malipal 38, Navin 38.
Warriors 142 all out. I. Moonsammy 29. V. Subkarran & R. Narine 2 wickets each.

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