Tri-State led by the versatile Alexandrino “Rusty” Kirton (capt.) and including Akeem, Dodson, Akem Dewars, Francis Mendonca, Basdeo Ramnarine, Dwayne Hurley and some other very talented players, took the Connecticut bowling attack apart in the reduced 35-overs affair.

Tri-State behind a well-made 66 off of 73 balls from Francis Mendonca and a whirlwind 29 deliveries score of 42 (4x6s) from Chris Sirkisoon and Akeen Dodson’s contribution of 42, helped Tri-State reach a solid 212 for 9 in their allotted 35 overs. Mendonca played a superb innings after Tri-State had lost their first wicket with the score at six runs. The young player’s knock was a study in concentration and contrasted with that of Chris Sirkisoon’s who had an awesome appearance of aggressive batting towards the end of the Tri-State innings.

The Connecticut bowlers did not help their cause yielding 31 extras, including 25 wides.

FOW: 6, 71, 79, 85, 150, 153, 187, 194 and 212.
Bowling for Connecticut: Chandrika. Singh 7-0-36-3, G. Steadman 7-0-49-2 were the main strike bowlers. There were two run-outs and V. Patel and H. Smith shared the remaining two wickets.

Connecticut Youths facing the challenging task of scoring at the rate of one run per delivery, were in deep trouble as their innings progressed. Their errant stroke play finally caught up with them, literally and figuratively, as they yielded six catches to the Tri-State fieldsmen who held on to every one.

With skipper Brian Adjodi exiting after scoring only 11 runs, the wind appeared to have left the sails of the young men. There were some moments of brilliance as the batsmen sought to get out from under the relentless bowling and fielding efforts of the Tri-State youths, particularly skipper Kirton, who was magnificent in the field. His fielding prowess more than compensated for his failure to score any runs during his turn at bat.

Connecticut would eventually succumb at 88 for 9 in their 35 overs, some 125 runs shy of their target. Top scorers were V. Patel with a defiant 18 and skipper Brian Adjodi, 11.

Ahmed Dodson had figures of 6-1-17-2, while six of the remaining seven bowlers used by Tri-State each enjoyed one Connecticut scalp.

Each player of the two finalists received a medal of participation, while other awards went to MVP Christopher Sirkisoon, Most Runs – Francis Mendonca, Most Wickets – Chandrika Singh, Best Fielding – Alexandrino Kirton, Best Wicketkeeper – Akeem Dodson. Those awards were donated by Ashok Patel.

Tri-State received a humongous championship trophy and $1,500. compliments of John Ragano of Ragano & Ragano, attorneys-at-law. The runner-up trophy and $1,000 was donated by Bob Brechard’s Famous Mortgage, Inc.
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