Fatima aiming for six wins on the trot

FATIMA College cricket team now face the challenge of winning its remaining matches to stay in contention for the 2019 PowerGen Secondary Schools 50-over premier division title.

Fatima’s first round match against Barrackpore West Secondary at the latter’s school ground was abandoned because of rain, last Tuesday. In a short season where each team only plays seven matches, Fatima will be aiming to win all six of its remaining matches. Fatima will be hoping for clear skies against promoted team Shiva Boys’ Hindu College in round two, on Tuesday. Hillview College and St Benedict’s College have set the standard so far, as both teams recorded eight-wicket victories in round one.

Head coach of Fatima Miguel Paty said, “We are disappointed that the game was washed out. Everybody training hard and they want to get into the season. The boys were really disappointed along with the coaching staff, but that is also how the game is – it is just a little unfortunate.” Paty said Fatima have made a request for the match to be played, but it is uncertain if this would be granted. “At this point now we are in a situation where we have to win all of our games – that was the goal anyway – but we are hoping that we don’t get any more washout matches and we get an opportunity to try and beat the other six teams that we have to play against.”

Fatima last won the crown in 2016 and Paty is eager to get back on top. “We have high standards here and we want to challenge for the title and we want to get it back,” Paty said.

Michael Ambard, an Upper Six student, wants his team to have a strong run in the tournament following the first round washout. “I think we definitely want to try and win as many as possible – all will be ideal,” Ambard said.

Ambard, a national youth cricketer, expects the league to be fiercely contested with a number of teams in with a chance of winning the title. “I think the league is very difficult this year with Hillview, Naps (Naparima), Benedict’s and Pres (Presentation, Chaguanas).”

Ambard also thinks Fatima are contenders. He said, “I think we have an all-rounded team. I think we are lacking a bit of experience, but the juniors seem to be stepping up at the same time.”