Hillview, Naps in giant SSCL opener

Hillview College cricketers at a practice session at Honeymoon Park recently.  PHOTO BY ROGER JACOB
Hillview College cricketers at a practice session at Honeymoon Park recently. PHOTO BY ROGER JACOB

DEFENDING champions Hillview College have a chance to deal a blow to one of their tradition rivals today, when they face Naparima College in the opening match of the 2019 PowerGen Secondary Schools Cricket League (SSCL) 50-over tournament.

The match bowls off at the Queen's Park Oval in St Clair from 10 am. There is expected to be an opening ceremony from 9.30 am.

Hillview and Naparima have been among the top teams in the league for years, as Naparima finished second to Hillview in both the 50-over and T20 competitions last year.

Both teams will look slightly different from 2018 after losing several players who have graduated. Hillview are without seven players and Naparima have lost four. Both teams however are still loaded with talent. Naparima will be counting on the experience of former West Indies Under-19 player Cephas Cooper and national youth players Ryan Bandoo and Avinash Mahabirsingh. Hillview also have a number of top players in its line-up, including former West Indies Under-19 player Kirstan Kallicharan and national youth players Navin Bidaisee and Leonardo Julien on the team.

Naparima manager Percy Samlalsingh acknowledged the magnitude of the contest today.

He said, "Definitely with the premier league cricket, every game you play – just like the football – is a final, because you play each team once and it is just seven games. Last year we won all our games except for the Hillview game, so it is definitely a big clash tomorrow (today)."

Hillview's Travin Mohan plays a defensive shot at a recent training session at Honeymoon Park, El Dorado. PHOTO BY ROGER JACOB

The eight teams in the tournament will play a round robin format and the team with the most points will be declared the champion.

Samlalsingh said Naparima is a balanced team this year. "As always, I think our bowling does well and I think we have improved in the batting department this year. It is an all-round performance we (usually) get from the squad," Samlalsingh said.

Hillview batsman Isaiah Connell plays a shot off the bowling of Anderson Mahase during a recent training session at Honeymoon Park, Tunapuna. PHOTO BY ROGER JACOB

Hillview captain Bidaisee said Naparima will be their sternest test. "We usually don't take anybody for granted. We know Naps is the toughest game of the season. We just looking to stick to the basics, stick to our strengths and execute as best as possible," Bidaisee said.

Julien is also eager for Hillview to hit the ground running. Julien said, "It is very important to get off to a good start and set the example from up in front."

In other matches today, Fatima will make the journey to south to play Barrackpore West at the latter's school ground; Presentation College, Chaguanas will welcome promoted team Shiva Boys Hindu College at Presentation; St Benedict's College will face the other promoted team Vishnu Boys Hindu College at Munroe Road Recreation Ground in Cunupia. All matches start at 10 am.

TODAY'S FIXTURES:

Hillview College vs Naparima College, Queen's Park Oval

Barrackpore West Secondary vs Fatima College, Barrackpore West Secondary

Presentation College, Chaguanas vs Shiva Boys Hindu College, Presentation College

Vishnu Boys Hindu College vs St Benedict's College, Munroe Road Recreation Ground

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"Hillview, Naps in giant SSCL opener"

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