Merry Boys president: We belong in the top flight

PROMAN Merry Boys will return to the premiership I competition of the TT Cricket Board National League next year, after winning the premiership II north tournament.

Merry Boys won their final league match on Sunday at the Diego Martin Sporting Complex with a crushing win by an innings and 217 runs over Queen's Park III to clinch promotion. Wicket-keeper batsman Samuel Felix was ruthless, scoring 156 off 160 deliveries.

Merry Boys have won multiple titles in the top flight of local cricket in the past and will be hunting more trophies.

Many Merry Boys players have lined up for TT over the years, including captain Mario Belcon. Former Merry Boys players Amir Jangoo and Isaiah Rajah have also played for the national team.

President and manager of Merry Boys Sebastien Edwards is elated that the club will play in the premiership I division in 2024.

In a media release, Edwards spoke about the victory on Sunday.

"It was always in the cards. Not to diminish the effort of our opponents, but victory was always on the cards. This was one of the weaker teams in the competition, so we were fairly confident going into the game that we would have had a victory in some form or fashion."

Speaking about the promotion, Edwards said, "Happy days. We look forward to next season.

"We always comment between the captain and myself that this is not our level. We have always been a premier I club, but due to unfortunate circumstances found ourself in premier II...the results of this season prove that we were supposed to be at this level."

Edwards knows it will take effort to stay in the premier I division.

"It means a lot more hard work. We may need to bring in some additional players to strengthen the team and also basically strengthen our structure a little bit, take a load off myself and the captain going forward."