Richmond Hill 'rolled over' Majestics
By Darshan Chickery

May 18, 2009

Richmond Hill whipped Majestics by 103 runs in the sixth round of the West Indian Softball Association's Premier Elite 25 Over competition last Sunday at St. Albans Park.

Richmond Hill won the toss and decided to bat under cool and overcast conditions. Their plan was to get as many runs as possible as the weather was forecasted to rain later. The rain never came but Richmond Hill did rain on Majestic's parade.

The familiar pair of Ahamad Shazaman (Zaman) and Clifflee Velaidum opened the batting for Richmond Hill. They got off to a quiet start of 28 in four overs, before Zaman tried to loft Gopie Doodnauth over long-on but only succeeded in skying it at short mid off. He was out for 23.

Krishna Chickery joined Velaidum and put on a second wicket of 153 before Krishna was run out for 63 which included five 6's and four 4's. Ravi Lutchman did not last long; he went for 1 off Vish Persaud with the score at 199 for 4.

With enough runs for their opponents to chase, the focus shifted to Velaidum who was closing in on what would have been a well deserved century. At 91, he fell, victim to Vish Persaud. His superb knock was decorated with six 6s and six 4s.

Richmond Hill closed their inning at 231 for 5 off the allotted overs. Vish Persaud was Majestics' most successful bowler with 2 for 29. Gopie Doodnauth and Shashi Wilfred assisted with 1 for 36 and 1 for 54 respectively.

Majestics began their reply with a bang (13 off the first over) but their top order was anything but majestic against J. Hemraj and Joe Persaud. They failed to negotiate Hemraj & Persaud and as a result, found themselves in deep trouble at 24 for 5 in the sixth over.

Needing to stem the flow of wickets, D. Kishun joined G. Doodnauth and together they batted as though they had the game under control. They put on 102 for the sixth wicket in ten overs before Doodnauth was caught off the bowling of Ravi Mohan for a pugnacious 60. His knock contained four 6s and four 4s. His partner Kishun followed soon thereafter for a well played 34.

Majestics' tail wagged ?a la' West Indies' and they were all out for 128. Joe Persaud and Ravi Mohan grabbed 3 for 11 and 3 for 13 respectively. They were nicely supported by J. Hemraj with 2 for 36 and Kumar Chickery 2 for 1.

Canje 'sailed' over Ocean's XI
By Chin Singh

May 18, 2009
Canje CC defeated Ocean XI by 7 wickets in their West Indian Softball Association's Division I quarterfinals match played at Charles Drew Park, last Sunday.
On an unusual chilly day, Ocean XI won the toss and decided to take first strike. The opening pair of C. Warren and B. Toolsi started cautiously as Canje's opening bowling pair of Mel Matai and Yadram Maystry gave the batsmen a lot to think about with some very accurate bowling. Captain Goordial Matai introduced J. Dhanai in the fifth over, and immediately he got Toolsi to sky a well judged catch to Moonesh Singh at longon, with the score at 16. C. Rajbally came in but did not last long as he was run out by a direct hit from Vishnu Kublall, for 4, with the score at 26. 

With Ocean XI in deep trouble, Captain Latchman Mohan made his way to the middle. With the score at 28, Ocean XI lost their third wicket, as Warren went for 13. Mohan was joined by S. Bhulai, and the pair started to bat sensibly. But with the score at 40, the play of the day occurred. Mohan pushed the ball to extra cover and started off for a single. Bhulai never responded, and after coming halfway down, he has to turn back. In the mean time, Tejpaul Gobin fielded the ball, and threw a flat, hard and accurate throw to wicketkeeper Kumar, who whipped the bails off. Mohan made a valiant effort by plunging into his crease, but fell short and was given out for one.

Ocean XI never recovered, and was eventually all out for 86, in the 23^rd over. Bhulai top scored with 22, before he too went via the run out route. Bowling for Canje, J. Dhanai, had excellent figures of 3/13 from his five overs. He was well supported by Terry Sanichar, with 2/23, and Mel Matai, 1/7.

Canje's opening pair of J. Dhanai and Javed Hussain added 34 before Dhanai went, bowled by Warren in the 7^th over, for a well played 16. Hussain went the very next over, as he was run out for 15. Ocean XI thought they had a chance of winning, but that feeling soon disappeared as Tejpaul Gobin and last week's centurion Thakur Kumar took the score to 69, before Kumar went for 15. Canje got past the score without losing any more wickets, as Gobin was left undefeated at 31, and G. Matai on 3.

The next game for Canje will be against the winner of Leguan and Williamsburg, in the semi-finals.