EASTERN AMERICAN CRICKET ASSOCIATION 2007
It’s Too Close To Call At The Halfway Mark

By John L. Aaron
After round eight of the Eastern American Cricket Association’s 2007 season, only three points separate the top three teams, with the star-studded 7-0 Real Challenge ahead with 35 points and a make-up game against Golden Arrow scheduled for this weekend at Floyd Bennett Field. Real Challenge is currently tied with Richmond Hill at 35 points apiece, while Atlantis is in the third slot with 32 points (See Points Standings below).

Real Challenge’s unbeaten streak is indicative of the depth of the team, with players such as Reon King, Denzil James, Vishal Nagamootoo and a host of other former or current national players.

Richmond Hill and Atlantis have been keeping abreast of Real Challenge, albeit being behind by one game. Atlantis however sits three points behind Richmond Hill – a result of a rain abandoned game against Enmore.

Atlantis has been strengthened by having Lennox Cush and the returning Clayton Lambert aboard, as well as the returning Rodney Sooklall and Manoj Sirju from Trinidad & Tobago. These players have helped the core group of Atlantis players raise the standard of their game significantly.

Surprisingly, Everest/ACS (5-3) and Enmore (4-3-1), two of the top teams in the EACA during the past two years, have had somewhat disappointing seasons so far. However, cricket being the glorious game of uncertainty, one cannot rule out either team from landing among the Big-4 contestants, this year.

Everest/ACS has the quality horses, but appears to lack the spark that drives a team of experienced players currently blended with some young legs. The Zamin Amin led squad recorded team scores of under 100 runs against Atlantis and Richmond Hill recently, while Enmore with some internal differences appear to be barely holding things together. Enmore is another quality team that may be hurt by not having the depth to go the extra mile with the thoroughbreds at the top of the bunch.

A test of the quality of the 2007 Everest/ACS team will occur on August 5, when Real Challenge meets Everest/ACS at Bay Park. Richmond Hill on the other hand would have an opportunity to really assert its position when that team clashes with the game-winning Real Challenge on July 22 at Baisley Pond Park. Atlantis meets Richmond Hill on July 29 at Lido Beach. Thus, these games can certainly alter the landscape among the top five teams heading for the Big-4 countdown. Stay tuned.

This weekend the teams are off, except for Real Challenge and Golden Arrow who clash at Floyd Bennett Field in their eighth game of the season. Next Sunday, the pace resumes with Richmond Hill hosting East Side Warriors at Baisley Pond Park, Golden Arrow visits Atlantis at Heckscher State Park, Unified Ambassadors and East Bank lock horns at Brentwood, Seawell accommodates the struggling Everest/ACS at Bay Park, Hillside welcomes Empire Mortgage to Randall’s Island, Bayshore Tigers take their act to Lido Beach for Enmore and Canal No. 2 polder comes up against Real Challenge at Riis Park.

CURRENT PONTS STANDINGS – As of June 30, 2007

Team Matches Played Win Loss Rained out or Abandoned Points
Real Challenge 7 7 0 35
Richmond Hill 8 7 1 35
Atlantis 8 6 1 1 32
Everest/ACS 8 5 3 25
Enmore 8 4 3 1 20
Empire Mortgage 8 4 4 20
Hillside 8 4 4 20
Unified Ambassadors 8 4 4 20
East Bank 8 3 5 15
Golden Arrow 7 3 4 15
Canal #2 Polder 8 2 6 10
East Side Warriors 8 2 6 10
Seawell 8 2 6 10
Bayshore Tigers 8 1 7 5
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