Defending champs 'Pres' San Fernando face Rio Claro East in Intercol T20

DEFENDING PowerGen Secondary Schools Cricket League Intercol T20 champions Presentation College San Fernando, will face a tricky Rio Claro East Secondary outfit when round of 16 matches bowl off on March 25.

Presentation and Rio Claro will play at Union Hall Grounds, San Fernando, at 10 am.

Presentation College San Fernando would have been hoping to demonstrate a stronger showing in the premier divsion 50-over competition after finishing fourth. However, the team found form at the end of the 50-over campaign. After winning just two of their first six matches, "Pres" won their last three matches of the season.

Rio Claro, a championship south division side, will try to pull off an upset. Rio Claro captain Stevon Gomez has had a memorable season and Presentation will aim to keep him quiet.

Gomez can be an asset in the T20 format as he showed his ball-striking ability in the 50-over championship south competition. In a match against Shiva Boys' Hindu College, Gomez struck 12 fours and 11 sixes in a knock of 147 off 96 balls. His innings was not enough as Rio Claro lost by 28 runs.

Presentation's Brendon Boodoo, a national youth player, is one of the leaders on his team. Boodoo showed signs of his potential during the 50-over campaign including an unbeaten 200 against Toco Secondary, but his scores against more formidable opponents were not as high.

Five other matches will take place on March 25 with many championship division teams trying to upset premier division opponents.

Vishnu Boys' Hindu College will be favourites against north championship winners Queen's Royal College; premier divsion 50-over champions Presentation College Chaguanas will face SWAHA Hindu College; Naparima College play north championship school Manzanilla Secondary; and Hillview College will try to advance when they battle south championship winners Shiva Boys' Hindu College.

In the other match, ASJA Boys' Hindu College San Fernando play Toco Secondary. Both schools featured in the premier division 50-over competition this year, but got demoted. ASJA finished seventh in the ten-team standings and Toco were last.

Two other Intercol T20 matches will be contested at the Queen's Park Oval, St Clair on March 27.

Fixtures:

March 25

Vishnu Boys Hindu College vs Queen's Royal College, Bamboo Recreational Ground, 10 am

Presentation College Chaguanas vs SWAHA Hindu College, Presentation Ground, 10 am

Presentation College San Fernando vs Rio Claro East Secondary, Union Hall Grounds, 10 am

ASJA Boys College San Fernando vs Toco Secondary, Inshan Ali Park, 10 am

Naparima College vs Manzanilla Secondary, Naparima Grounds, 10 am

Hillview College vs Shiva Boys Hindu College, Honeymoon Park, 11 am

March 27

Fatima College vs St Benedict's College, Queen's Park Oval, 10 am

St Mary's College vs Preysal Secondary, Queen's Park Oval, 2 pm