By Dyon Ravello,

Melbourne New York Alliance kicked off  Trinidad and Tobago’s 50th  Independence Celebration in conjunction with the Trinidad and Tobago Consulate General. The weekend of celebrations began on Friday 3rd August with Windball Cricket. Windball cricket is a popular past time of both the local and native Trinibagonian community. HD United won the toss against Pause for ah Cause taking first strike. On hand to open the Celebrations were Consular General Mrs. Rudrawatee Nan Ramgoolam and Trinidad and Tobago Sports Ambassador Daren Ganga.

HD had got of to a strong start with Steve Samuels taking a liking to the bowling of Sunil Maraj. At the other end Chief pegged the HD batting with two wickets and a run out by Daryl Roopchand. Samuels found a similarly aggressive partner in Prem and the pair returned HD on course. Samuels going for another maximum held out on the boundary scoring 26 at a strike rate of 130.00. Prem continued his cause as he did not pause, with the late overs approaching. Prem held out to long on for a top score of 34, as HD captain Ralph made sure of an imposing score as 13 runs came off the last over, HD 114/8 in 14 overs.

Pause For Ah Cause began their reply in cavalier fashion with Daryl Roopchand hitting the very first delivery over the mid wicket boundary. Roopchand picked up a single before dispatching another maximum, as if that was not enough for Ravello, Roopchand completed the over with another heave this time straight back over the bowler to take 20 runs off the first over. Ryan replaced Ravello with immediate success as he bowled Shashi. Daryl would partner with the dangerous Reagan batting at number four as Pause got to 52/2. The introduction of Daniel proved a vital change as he removed Roopchand bowled for 31. Daniel then accounted for Reagan caught at square leg, Reagan infuriated with his dismissal appealing that the fieldsman had ran over the boundary.

That dismissal changed the complexion of the match with Ravello returning to redeem himself with a wicket in the tenth over. Ravello continued to be a main part of the action as he saved a six on the long on boundary, instead of holding the catch and falling into the boundary. In the penultimate over Ravello repeated the feat a second time and even went one better as Ralph held the catch off the rebound giving Daniel his fourth wicket. With the run rate set at 25 in the last over, Pause failed to score off the bat as HD huddled with two slips among two other close catching fielders. HD completing the victory over Pause For Ah Cause to open New York leg of Trinidad and Tobago’s Independence celebration.

The fanfare continues on Saturday with two more cricket matches this time with the use of the hard cricket ball instead of the windball (tennis ball).  Followed by soccer/football on Sunday, the action continues from 9 am at Baisley Pond Park, Queens. Saturday’s main attraction with see the New York community welcoming another Trinidad and Tobago Sports Ambassador, World Record Holder Brian Lara.