By Dyon Ravello,

The Trinibagoinian community continued its Golden Jubilee celebrations at Baisley Pond Cricket Park, on Saturday 4th August 2012 with exciting cricket action. On Friday the festivity had opened with Windball Cricket, but on Saturday the main event returned to the traditional game. Four teams outfitted in Trinidad and Tobago national colors Red, Black and White took part in the contest. Visitors  Overseas Master of Toronto, Canada and Challengers CC of Florida were entertained by Pure Players and Brooklyn Queens of New York.

Festivities were opened with Pure Players hosting the Overseas Masters. Pure Players were guided by a steller century by Richie Sieuchan who thumped 102. Darryl Roopchand and Rajiv Bridgemohan chipped in with 26 each to help raise a mammoth 196 for 3  in 15 overs. The Canadians stayed competitive with R Levy scoring 59, Sean Stanislaus scalped to wickets to peg the run flows as Overseas Masters were restricted to 133 for 7, to lose by 63 runs. Pure Players ensuring that a home team will feature in the final as Overseas Masters left to play for third.

Brooklyn/Queens batted first against Challengers of Florida with Ashook “Dudley” Bally 54 and K. Ramlakhan 40 to lead their side to 169 for 7. Challengers like their fellow tourist were never up to the imposing target set by the New Yorkers, as they muster 104 to lose by 65 run only Farook Kirmani 25 showing any fight. Brooklyn/Queens onto face neighbors Pure Players for the first prize, with touring Challengers and Overseas Masters to battle for third.

Overseas Masters managed 71 for 7 as the match was reduced as due to limited time. Challengers made light work of the target to get to 73 for 2 to win by eight wickets, Cassius Burton 23 and R. Levy 20 leading the way. Challengers with the consolation of third, while Overseas Masters left to enjoy only the auxiliary niceties of  their summer tour.

The final was reduced to a five over affair with fading light as Brooklyn/Queens batted first. D. Sodden scored 22 to lead his side to 67 for 4. Pure Player with centurion Sieuchan in their midst relished the opportunity to take the throphy, batting with Bridgemohan Pure Players lost no wickets as they approached the final over. Needing 18 runs off the last four deliveries, Sieuchan thumped off spinner Steve Samuels over long off on the longest boundary at Baisley Pond Cricket Park. The next delivery Richie drove to cover refusing a single,with the asking rate climbing to 36 runs per over. Sieuchan was up to the task as he dished Samuels onto Baisley Blvd for a huge maximum. One ball, six runs, Samuels into Sieuchan, he is driving to long off thats a boundary but its not enough. Pure Players 65 without lost losing by two runs, Sieuchan 32 and Bridgemohan 31.

Brooklyn/Queens turning back both visitors and neighbors alike to take the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Cricket Festival Cup. Festival Chief, Joe Siewharack, mentioned that the series will continue, as plans for this year’s event were in the making months prior. Siewharack also extended his gratitude to his fellow club members at Melbourne NY Alliance, namely Shirley Khan, Glyne Hurley, and Frankie Phillip for their efforts in ensuring a successful event. Also among the recipients for special mention were Hafeez Khan captain of Pure Players, Parks Department, NYPD Community Affairs, Trinidad and Tobago Consulate General, Hibiscus Restaurant, Eclipse on the Boulevard, Anisa Rmajit of Coldwell Bankers, Jules Bernard, and Johnathan Linton. On hand for the festivities was Trinidad and Tobago Sport Ambassador designate, Daren Ganga

Looking forward to the 2013 season Melbourne NY Alliance as patrons of the events welcome sponsors, donors, and contributors to assist in the planning of another successful event in the years to come, contact: Vellocricket@hotmail.com for information.