Joshua James' century denies Queen's Park in National League

A game-changing knock of 116 runs from Tobagonian Joshua James salvaged a draw for Clarke Road United against Queen’s Park I (QPCC), in a top-of-the-table clash at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain on Sunday.

In the round five, Premiership I fixture, Clarke Road were staring defeat from early on Saturday when the Parkites’ Sunil Narine capture a scintillating seven wickets from seven overs without conceding a run. The spinner returned on day two, to bag six more wickets, this time for 101 runs.

However, it was James’ resilience with the bat that rescued Clarke Road in the second innings as he prevented the home team for securing an outright victory, which would have propelled them to the top of the league.

QPCC had declared on 268/3 on Saturday – a lead of 192 runs – and sent Clarke Road back in to bat.

The Penal-based team resumed day two on 16 without loss but showed their fighting spirit to rally to 325 all out, led by James’ superb knock. Their second-innings score set QPCC a target of 134 for victory.

James hit five sixes and 11 fours and was supported by Nicholas Sookdeosingh (54) and opener Dejourn Charles (44).

Narine was again problematic with the ball, snatching 6/101, while Jon Russ Jagessar picked up 2/105.

But with limited overs in the final session on the last day, QPCC could only muster 67/5 after 11 overs, with Isaiah Rajah top scoring on 41 and Ahkeel Mollon (3/35) and Clevon Kalawan (2/30) doing the damage for Clarke Road.

Before Sunday’s drawn result, both teams were tied at the top on 99 points each.

After the points are tallied for this game, the final round of matches bowls off with a three-day affair on Friday.

All other round-six matches were drawn.

At Invaders Ground in Preysal, defending champions PowerGen declared on 490/4 – led by Evin Lewis (206 retired hurt), Navin Bidaisee (119) and Daniel Williams (85) – and put Central Sports in to bat on the second day.

They were dismissed for 273, with Aaron Alfred (51), Terrance Hinds (41) Alex Antoine (39 not out) and Jabari Mills (35) leading the way.

With a first innings lead of 217, PowerGen returned to the middle and declared on 30 without loss, to set Central Sports a target of 248 for victory.

But Central Sports could only reach 92/1 after 10.2 overs and both teams shared the spoils.

Summarised scores:

CLARKE ROAD UNITED 76 (24.4) – Dejourn Charles 21, Yannick Ottley 20; Sunil Narine 7/0, Sion Hackett 2/18 & Joshua James 116, Nicholas Sookdeosingh 54, Dejourn Charles 44; Sunil Narine 6/101, Jon Russ Jagessar 2/105 vs QPCC I 268/3 (52.2) – Isaiah Rajah 100 not out, Kirstan Kallicharan 64, Camillo Carimbocas 57, Jordan Warner 46 & 67/5 (11) – Isaiah Rajah 41; Ahkeel Mollon 3/35, Clevon Kalawan 2/30 – Match Drawn

POWERGEN 490/4 dec. (93) – Evin Lewis 206 ret. hurt, Navin Bidaisee 119, Daniel Williams 85 & 30/0 dec. (4.4) – Vedesh Sookhai 17 vs CENTRAL SPORTS 273 (74.4) – Aaron Alfred 51, Terrance Hinds 41, Alex Antoine 39 not out; Damion Joachim 6/67, Ansil Bhagan 4/126 & 92/1 (10.2) – Kjorn Ottley 50 not out – Match Drawn

QPCC II 171 (39.5) – Shazad Mohammed 46 not out, Rickash Boodram 39, Jason Batson 38; Jovan Ali 4/30, Sherwin Ganga 3/36, Farrel Jugmohan 2/65 & 44/5 (14.3) – Philton Williams 3/14 vs VICTORIA SPORTS 199 (42.4) – Marcelle Jones 43, Kadeem Alleyne 32; Namir Suepaul 4/59, Philton Williams 3/34 & 162 (43.4) – Eric Garcia 60, Jason Batson 28; Jovan Ali 5/64, Farrel Jugmohan 3/58 – Match Drawn

PREYSAL 217 – Antonio Gomez 76, Mbeki Joseph 33, Adrian Cooper 40; Sanjiv Gooljar 5/95, Nicholas Ali 3/33, Ronaldo Forester 1/28 & 212/6 – Adrian Gomez 100, Crystian Thurton 34, TeShawn Alleyne 27; Nicholas Ali 4/66 vs COMETS 286 – Shatrughan Rambaran 160, Sanjay Jawahir 37, Stephon Ramdial 3/70, Adrian Cooper 3/48, Rakesh Maharaj 2/50 – Match Drawn