Central Sports toil as Powergen batsman hold firm in National League final round

CENTRAL Sports will have to work hard over the next two days to achieve an outright win or draw against Powergen if they are to lift the coveted Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board National League Premiership I crown.

Powergen closed day one of the final round of matches on a confident 236/5 after 68 overs at Syne Village in Penal. They were led by unbeaten middle-order knocks from Navin Bidiasee (84 not out) and Samuel Roopnarine (56 not out).

Mbeki Joseph (42) and Akeil Cooper (32) also had good contributions with the bat for the hosts, after they lost their first three wickets for just 13 runs.

Among the wickets for Central Sports were Marlon Richards (2/28), Mikkel Govia (2/32) and Ali (1/64).

In other matches, Merry Boys looked good at stumps after day one, closing on 312/9 against Preysal Sports Club. Daron Cruickshank is still at the crease on 124 not out joined by final batsman Darren Deonarine, yet to get off the mark.

Opener Akil Greenidge (65) had a firm start while Leonardo Julien (49) and Mario Belcon (35) also had steady contributions.

Topping the bowling for Preysal were Nathaniel McDavid (5/79) and Adrian Cooper and Justyn Gangoo, who both snagged 2/54.

Day two bowls off on Saturday with the final day’s play of this year’s tournament, on Sunday.

Summarised Scores

POWERGEN 236/5 (69) – Navin Bidiasee 84, Samuel Roopnarine 56, Mbeki Joseph 42, Akeil Cooper 32; Marlon Richards 2/28, Mikkel Govia 2/32 vs CENTRAL SPORTS

MERRY BOYS 312/9 (61) – Daron Cruickshank 124, Akil Greenidge 65, Leonardo Julien 49; Nathaniel McDavid 5/79, Justyn Gangoo 2/54, Adrian Cooper 2/54 vs PREYSAL

CLARKE ROAD UNITED 93/0 (18) – Kyle Hope 53, Shatrughan Rambaran 40 vs QPCC

MARCHIN PATRIOTS 218 (58.3) – Crystian Thurton 69, Adrian Ali 48, Kirstan Kallicharan 22, Kashtri Singh 21; Jovan Ali 5/56, Avinash Mahabirsingh 3/83, Farrel Jugmohan 2/27 vs PROFILBAU VICTORIA UNITED