Merry Boys relegated

NATIONAL stalwarts Merry Boys were shockingly relegated from the TT Cricket Board National League Premiership two-day competition yesterday following an innings defeat to Queen's Park Cricket Club. Merry Boys started the final round in fifth position on the eight-team table at 66 points but ended second-to-last on 70, with El Socorro Youth Movement (EYM) demoted too after finishing bottom on 52.

In response to Merry Boys' 146, QPCC resumed on 201 for four and went on to amass 338 for eight declared. Isiah Rajah fell two short of a century with 98 with Yannic Cariah and Nicholas Alexis adding valuable knocks of 45. Daron Cruickshank chipped in with 31 while Atiba Allert (three for 73) and Rishaad Harris (three for 85) did the damage for Merry Boys.

Facing a 192-run deficit, Merry Boys never looked up to the task, capitulating for just 168. Amir Jangoo made 37 while Miguel Mahabir chipped in with an unbeaten 23, but Anderson Phillip ripped through the batting with five for 49 to condemn Merry Boys to defeat by an innings and 24 runs. QPCC remained third after picking up 26 points to move to 116 in the standings. Both Merry Boys and EYM will be replaced by the top two teams from the Premiership II Division.

Alescon Comets maintained second spot following an impressive five-wicket win over champions Powergen at Pierre Road Recreation Ground. After bowling out Powergen for 198, Comets, resuming on 90 for five, only made 104. Christopher Barnwell made 29 but his teammates had no answer for Kavesh Kantasingh (five for 23) and Ansil Bhagan (two for seven). With a lead of 94, Powergen were then skittled for 156 thanks to Imran Khan's three for 34 and two apiece from Vikash Mohan and Jyd Goolie. Jeron Maniram (43) and Steven Katwaroo (33) were the lone batsmen to offer resistance. Chasing a daunting 250 to win, however, Comets powered home to 254 for five in a wild chase off just over 30 overs, going at nearly nine an over. Barnwell cracked 94 not out off 48 with Rayad Emrit making 62 from 45, as they closed out the standings on 118, 11 behind Powergen who took the title with 129.

In the relegation dogfight, Victoria survived by stunning Central Sports with a 95-run win. After Victoria made 222, Central Sports were bowled out for 157 with Keddy Lesporis' 54 and Marlon Richards' 36 adding some respect to the scorecard. Farell Jugmohan snatched five for 55 while Vikash Rampersad got three for 28. Victoria then declared on 162 for eight with Rampersad making 46 not out and Ricky Jaipaul nabbing five for 35. But chasing 228 to win, Central Sports fell for a paltry 132. After Kamil Pooran (21), Kjorn Ottley (43) and Jesse Bootan (38) exited, no other Central Sports batsman got into double figures, as Rampersad took four scalps, Jugmohan three more and Sherwin Ganga turned the tide with three for one in three overs. This propelled Victoria out the relegation zone to finish sixth on 73, just three ahead of Merry Boys, while Central Sports slipped a spot to fifth on 87.

In EYM's fixture at the El Socorro Recreational Ground, after the host team made 111, FC Clarke Road, resuming on 311 for five, were bowled out for 339. Red Force batsmen Kyle Hope (117) and Yannick Ottley (63) led the way, with Akil Timothy and Bryan Boodram taking nine scalps between themselves. Trailing by 228, EYM in their second turn at the crease could only muster 203, losing by an innings and 25 runs. Richard Ali (55) and Timothy (47) offered valuable knocks but Kerwyn Sirju tore through the rest of batters with five for 58. Picking up 26 points for the win, Clarke Road moved from sixth to end the competition in fourth place with 89 points, sending EYM down.

SUMMARISED SCORES

Merry Boys 146 (Amir Jangoo 29, Reinaldo Sammy 22; Javon Searles 6/51) and 168 (Jangoo 37, Miguel Mahabir 23 not out; Anderson Phillip 5/49) vs Queen's Park 338/8 (Isaiah Rajah 98, Yannic Cariah 45, Nicholas Alexis 45 not out; Atiba Allert 3/73, Rishard Harris 3/85). QPCC won by an innings and 24 runs.

Powergen 198 (Royston Crandon 60, Jason Mohammed 47; Imran Khan 4/48, Rayad Emrit 2/25) and 156 (Jeron Maniram 43, Steven Katwaroo 33, Khan 3/33, Jyd Goolie 2/15, Vikash Mohan 2/29) vs Alescon Comets 104 (Christopher Barnwell 29, Kavesh Kantasingh 5/23) and 254/5 (Barnwell 94 not out, Emrit 62, Ronsford Beaton 3/45, Kantasingh 2/86). Comets won by five wickets.

Victoria 222 (Damien Bryce 68, Stephan Wharwood 42, Chris Mohammed 32 not out; Vishan Jagessar 5/20, Marlon Richards 3/28) and 162/8 (Vikash Rampersad 46 not out, Sherwin Ganga 23; Ricky Jaipaul 5/35, Jagessar 2/56) vs Central Sports 157 (Keddy Lesporis 54, M Richards 36; Farrel Jugmohan 5/55, Rampersad 3/42) and 132 (Kjorn Ottley 43, Jesse Bootan 38; Rampersad 4/5, Jugmohan 3/43, Ganga 3/1). Victoria won by 95 runs.

El Socorro Youth Movement 111 (Richard Ali 49, Lyndell Nelson 18, Ahkeel Mollon 5/48, Yannick Ottley 4/15) and 203 (Ali 55, Akil Timothy 47, Nicholas Arthur 26; Kerwyn Sirju 5/58, Samuel Roopnarine 3/53) vs Clarke Road 339 (Kyle Hope 117, Y Ottley 63, Clevon Kallawan 56; Akil Timothy 5/99, Bryan Boodram 4/96). Clarke Road won by an innings and 25 runs.

FINAL POINTS STANDINGS

Powergen: 129

Comets: 118

QPCC I: 116

FC Clarke Road: 89

Central Sports: 87

Victoria: 73

Merry Boys: 70

EYM: 52