Tag: Steelpan Titans

Justin Jagessar blazes century, Steelpan Titans storm to TTCB U-23 Cup title

Former West Indies Under-19 player Justin Jagessar stole the limelight in the TT Cricket Board (TTCB) Under-23 Cup final at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on December 13 – scoring a brilliant century to lead his Steelpan Titans team to a 166-run victory over Cocrico Warriors.

Warriors won the toss and opted to bowl, with Jagessar taking the initiative early as the Titans skipper put his team on his back with a knock of 112 from 107 balls. Jagessar’s innings contained 13 fours and two sixes, and by the time he was dismissed in the 37th over, the Titans already had a fantastic platform as they had pushed their score to 248 for four.

Earlier, opener Riyaad Mohammed (28 off 19) got the Titans off to a rapid start in a 33-run partnership with Jagessar in four overs, before the latter put on 57 with Joseph Mendoza (25 off 26) for the second wicket. Jagessar then put on 78 for the third wicket with Nick Ramlal (36 off 39), before adding a further 80 for the fourth wicket with wicket-keeper Matheus Komal (31 off 29) before he was dismissed by fast bowler Joshua James (two for 72).

Jagessar’s dismissal did little to slow the Titans down at the death, as they scored 62 runs in the last four overs with Jayden Kent thumping 26 off ten balls, and lower-order players Jacen Agard (16 off five balls) and Calvin Loubon (15 off seven balls) also chipping in with handy contributions, before they were run out in the 40th and final over as their team posted a formidable 310 for eight.

Left-arm seamer Josh Telemaque led the Warriors bowling attack with figures of two for 59.

Set a revised target of 309, the Warriors’ chase never got off the ground as they were bowled out for 142 by the 29th over with Kovid Bispath (four for 21) and Qadeer Juman (three for 36) wrecking their innings. Wicket-keeper/batsman Gerard Chin and Olando James led the Warriors’ innings by scoring 34 runs apiece, with captain Cristian Rampersad scoring 22. The Warriors had no answer for Bispath as he got the scalps of Khaleem Mohammed (17), Ishamael Ali (duck), Rampersad and Rondell Ramlogan (six) as the opposition slipped from 69 for two to 133 for eight. Juman then got the last two wickets as the Titans sealed the emphatic win to lift the trophy.

Summarised scores:

STEELPAN TITANS: 310/8 from 40 overs (Justin Jagessar 112 not out, Nick Ramlal 36, Riyaad Mohammed 28, Jayden Kent 26; Josh Telemaque 2/59, Joshua James 2/72) vs COCRICO WARRIORS: 142 from 29 overs (Gerard Chin 34, Olando James 34, Christian Rampersad 22; Kovid Bispath 4/21, Qadeer Juman 3/36). Titans won by 166 runs.

Steelpan Titans crush Soca Strikers by five wickets in U23 Cup

Steelpan Titans notched their first win of the Cricket West Indies/TT Cricket Board Under-23 Cup after securing a five-wicket victory over Soca Strikers Under-19 in a rescheduled round two fixture at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva, on December 9.

A match-winning, unbeaten knock of 56 runs from Nick Ramlal guided Steelpan Titans to a triumphant 146/5 from 26.3 overs, in reply to Soca Strikers Under-19’s tally of 144/9 from 28 overs, who batted first.

Soca Strikers were led by a fiery knock of 47 runs from 27 balls courtesy Darius Battoosingh while opener Salem Khan hit 43 from 49 deliveries.

Restricting them at the crease were Calvin Loubon, who snapped up an impressive 4/20, while Ramlal also shone with the ball with 3/17. Fast bowler Jane Agard also finished among the wickets with 2/22.

In response, Ramlal led the charge with the bat for Steelpan Titans with his unbeaten half-century while opener Riyaad Mohammed chipped in with 32. Jayden Kent also scored 20.

Their combination with the willow-handed Soca Strikers U19 their first loss in two matches. Topping the bowling for them were Daron Dhanraj (2/13) and Renaldo Fournillier (2/31).

The U23 Cup resumes on December 10 with round three matches: Steelpan Titans versus Scarlet Blazers at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba and Soca Strikers U19 up against Cocrico Warriors at the National Cricket Centre.

Strikers U19 face Titans as Under-23 Cup resumes

THE Cricket West Indies/TT Cricket Board Under-23 Cup resumes on December 9 with a rescheduled round two fixture between Soca Strikers Under-19 and Steelpan Titans at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva.

This clash was initially scheduled to take place on December 6, but owing to rain, it was postponed. This was the third of four U23 Cup matches to be hampered by weather. Soca Strikers U19, however, will be hoping to secure another positive result after they defeated Scarlet Blazers by nine wickets in the opening contest, and only match to produce a complete result.

In that match at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Blazers posted 190 all out (41.2 overs), batting first, with Sachin Emrit smashing an unbeaten half century (50 not out) and R Yearwood hitting 39.

Brendan Boodoo was Soca Strikers U-19 best bowler, picking up 5/21, with Saleem Khan grabbing 2/37.

In reply, Khan was also ruthless with the bat and hit an 107 not out from 109 balls, while Aadi Ramsaran (61 not out) also got to a solid half century from 68 balls.

Together, the pair championed the Soca Strikers U-19 chase and raced to a victorious 196/1 from 36.2 overs. A Chan scored 22.

The second round one match between Steelpan Titans and Cocrico Warriors was rained off. It was rescheduled to bowl off on December 6 but similar conditions forced another postponement.

Similarly, in round two on December 7, the match between Cocrico Warriors and Scarlet Blazers bowled off, but was eventually abandoned because of inclement weather.

Blazers got to 177/2 from 33.2 overs with R Yearwood cracking 54, Rajeev Ramnath scoring 51 not out and M Sinanan 44 not out. Play could not continue after the stoppage.

After the December 6 rescheduled tie between Soca Strikers U19 and Steelpan Titans, round three bowls off on the following day with Titans taking on Blazers at NCC and Strikers U19 up against the Warriors at Tarouba.

Rambarans, Bidaisee star in Red Force Super50 trials

A number of players gave the TT Red Force selectors something to ponder on October 15 with strong performances in the National Senior 50 Overs Cup, which serves as the trials for the regional Super50 Cup, which will be held in Trinidad from November 19 to 29.

At the National Cricket Centre (NCC), Couva, Shatrughan Rambaran and recent West Indies debutant Navin Bidaisee put in fine performances as they helped the Cocrico Warriors to an emphatic 116-run victory over Steelpan Titans in a rain-affected affair.

Meanwhile, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA), Tarouba, opener Cephas Cooper, Andrew Rambaran and young leg-spinner Aneal Rooplal were among those who played key roles in the Soca Strikers’ 106-run victory over the Scarlet Blazers.

Batting first in Couva, the Warriors made a commanding 275 for four off 37 overs in the shortened contest before bowling out the Titans for just 180. Opening the batting, Shatrughan (111 off 101 balls) was a key stay in the Warriors’ innings and shared in three meaningful partnerships before his dismissal in the 36th over. He struck five sixes and two fours in his knock and shared an opening partnership of 86 with veteran Kjorn Ottley (34), before putting on 129 for the second wicket with Bess Motors Marchin Patriots dasher Crystian Thurton (81 off 57). Thurton was the aggressor in their partnership and hit six fours and three sixes before being dismissed by off-spinner Mark Deyal (two for 30).

Bidaisee, who made his T20 debut for the West Indies versus Nepal last month, then added a watchful 25 off 32. It’s with the ball Bidaisee did his best work, though, as the leg-spinner grabbed four for 29 from five overs – including the scalps of Deyal (35 off 24) and Jesse Bootan (37 off 30).

Chasing a revised target of 297, the Titans also got starts from Kamil Pooran (23) and left-hander Jyd Goolie (36 off 19), but fell well short in their pursuit.

At the BLCA, Cooper (87 off 96) and Andrew Rambaran (65) shared in a 115-run stand for the fourth wicket to guide the Strikers to 250 in 48.1 overs. Dejourn Charles led the Blazers’ attack with three for 54, with Aadian Racha grabbing three for 58.

Andrew returned with the ball to grab two for 37, while Rooplal took three for 25 as the Blazers were bundled out for 144 in the 40th over. Trinbago Knight Riders veteran Terrance Hinds also took two for 11 to help the Strikers to victory. Vikash Mohan (39) and Mbeki Joseph (25) got the only scores of note for the Blazers.

The final of the four-team tourney will be held at the BLCA from 1.30 pm on October 18.

Summarised Scores:

COCRICO WARRIORS – 275/4 from 37 overs (Shatrughan Rambaran 111, Crystian Thurton 81, Kjorn Ottley 34, Navin Bidaisee 25 not out; Mark Deyal 2/30) vs STEELPAN TITANS – 180 from 27.5 overs (Jesse Bootan 37, Jyd Goolie 36, M Deyal 35, Kamil Pooran 23; N Bidaisee 4/29, Dexter Sween 2/28). Warriors won by 116 runs.

SOCA STRIKERS – 250 from 48.1 overs (Cephas Cooper 87, Andrew Rambaran 65, Aneal Rooplal 21 not out; Dejourn Charles 3/54, Aadian Racha 3/58) vs SCARLET BLAZERS – 144 from 39.5 overs (Vikash Mohan 39, Mbeki Joseph 25, Justin Jagessar 17; A Rooplal 3/25, Terrance Hinds 2/11). Strikers won by 106 runs.

Three players hit fifites, but rain spoils party in Super50 trials

TRINIDAD and Tobago Red Force hopefuls were robbed of the opportunity of a full day’s tune-up on October 8 when the two games in the TT Cricket Board’s National Senior 50-Overs Cup were rained out.

At the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, three batsmen scored fifties for the Scarlet Blazers versus the Cocrico Warriors, but their team’s promising innings was cut short in the 44th over with the score on 271 for five. Opening batsman Mbeki Joseph (five) was dismissed early by former Windies pacer Shannon Gabriel, before Jeremy Solozano (76 off 81 balls) and Red Force skipper Joshua Da Silva (57 off 46) put on 100 runs in 15 overs before the latter retired hurt in the 19th over.

With Da Silva heading back to the pavilion, Vikash Mohan (51 off 50) also showed good form and put on 69 with Solozano before the latter was dismissed by Matthew Patrick, who grabbed figures of two for 42. Solozano hit seven fours and two sixes in his knock. Justin Jagessar (32 off 28) and Daniel Williams (21 not out off 24) both got starts before the rain prematurely brought an end to the Blazers’ innings and the game as a whole.

At the National Cricket Centre, Couva, no play was possible between the Soca Strikers and Steelpan Titans, who both registered wins on the opening day of the tourney on October 4. The final matches in the preliminary round of the four-team preparatory tourney will be played on October 15, when the Titans face the Warriors at NCC and the Blazers meet the Strikers at the BLCA. The tournament is being used as preparation for players vying to make the Red Force squad for the upcoming CG United Super50 tournament.

Summarised Scores:

SCARLET BLAZERS – 271/5 from 43.3 overs (Jeremy Solozano 76, Joshua Da Silva 57, Vikash Mohan 51, Justin Jagessar 32; Matthew Patrick 2/42) vs COCRICO WARRIORS.

Webster holds nerves, Titans get one-run win in Super50 trial

A pair of thrilling matches bowled off the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board’s (TTCB) National Senior 50-overs Cup on October 4, with the Steelpan Titans and the Soca Strikers registering contrasting wins in the four-team tournament which is being used as preparation for the upcoming CG United Super50 Cup.

At the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) in Tarouba, the Titans’ innings versus the Scarlet Blazers was bolstered by four half-centuries as they posted a strong total of 316 for six. In reply, the Blazers got a knock of 92 from Windies opener Evin Lewis. However, they fell one run short in the final over as they were agonisingly bowled out for 315.

The Titans got a terrific start from the opening pair of Kamil Pooran (67 off 76 balls) and captain Tion Webster (73 off 93), who put together a substantial 130-run stand. Pooran was dismissed by the economical Justyn Gangoo (one for 34) in the 24th over, with Kyle Ramdoo (one) and Webster following soon after as the Titans slipped to 167 for three by the 33rd over as off-spinner Joshua Davis (two for 29) struck timely blows.

Six overs later, the Titans then slid to 204 for five as Camillo Carimbocas (six) and allrounder Mark Deyal (eight) were dismissed cheaply.

In the last ten overs, though, the Titans launched their recovery as Jyd Goolie (71 not out off 71) and an aggressive Jesse Bootan (65 off 36) crucially changed the tempo of the innings with a 101-run stand for the sixth wicket before the latter was dismissed in the final over by Jerve Cummings (two for 55).

In reply, the Blazers had a stumbling start as Lewis lost partners Daniel Williams (three) and Mbeki Joseph (eight) early, leaving their team on 18 for two in the seventh over.

Lewis blazed his way to 92 off 73 and put on 51 for the third wicket with Justin Jagessar (16) and 88 more for the fourth wicket with Davis before Deyal (one for 55) got his wicket to close the 26th over. At that stage, the Blazers were on 157 for four and pushed their score to 216 before Derjourn Charles (34 off 39) became the first of five scalps for left-arm seamer Alexander Chase.

Though slightly expensive, Chase grabbed five for 71 from his ten overs and added the scalps of Mikkel Govia (nine), Davis (62 off 76), Justin Mannick (20 off 14) and Aadian Racha (31 off 21) as the Blazers were brought to the brink of defeat at 289 for nine.

Still needing 28 off the last 20 balls, the Blazers’ last pair of Cummings (15 off 11) and Gangoo (11 not out) nearly got them over the line. However, Webster (two for 44) returned at the death to seal the Man of the Match award and the nervy win for the Titans when he dismissed Cummings with the first ball of the last over to bowl out the Blazers for 315.

At the National Cricket Centre (NCC), Couva, the Strikers made just 133 on the back of 63 from Andrew Rambaran, before bowling out the Cocrico Warriors for 114 to grab the 19-run win in the low-scoring affair. National under-19 player Abdul-Raheem Toppin led the Strikers with impressive figures of five for 34.

From 9.30 am on October 8, the Strikers and Titans will aim to make it two wins from two matches when they meet at the NCC, with the Blazers facing the Warriors at the BLCA.

At the end of round-robin play, the top two teams will meet in a day/night final at the BLCA on October 18.

Summarised Scores:

STEELPAN TITANS – 316/6 from 50 overs (Tion Webster 73, Jyd Goolie 71 not out, Kamil Pooran 67, Jesse Bootan 65; Joshua Davis 2/29, Jerve Cummings 2/55) vs SCARLET BLAZERS – 315 from 49.1 overs (Evin Lewis 92, J Davis 62, Dejourn Charles 34, Aadian Racha 31; Alexander Chase 5/71, T Webster 2/44). Titans won by one run.

SOCA STRIKERS – 133 from 41.1 overs (Andrew Rambaran 63; Jacen Agard 3/15, Ricky Jaipaul 2/16) vs COCRICO WARRIORS 114 from 24.1 overs (Shatrughan Rambaran 22; Abdul Raheem-Toppin 5/34, Shaaron Lewis 3/22). Strikers won by 19 runs.