rcc cricket

The last time a meaningful encounter by these two teams was in the summer of 1995, when Caribbean won the game from the last delivery, and went on to the 1995 finals, but on Sunday July 23, 2000 Riverside didn't give Caribbean a chance even to take a deep breath, much less winning the game. Both teams looked very confident and ready to rumble. As usual Caribbean was heavily supported by its hundreds of fanatical fans, while Riverside fans was enjoying the day improving on their already gorgeous tans. The breaking news at this game came in the form of Riverside being led for the first time in 2000 by a new Captain, Sheik Mohammad. Just an insight on Sheik, he is a tactical master and one smooth cool strategist, making Norman Swartzkoff and Colin Powell look like first grader.

The toss was won by Caribbean, and they decided to go out and bat, this was a good decision as the conditions was ideal for Riverside to improve on their immaculate sensational tan lines. Its was hot and hazy with moments of breeze and patches of weak clouds. The game got started at 1:15 pm and Caribbean was docked an over, only after the Riverside Captain consulted with the very astute Umpire, Mr. Jerry Golbourne, of course Caribbean was not trilled with this docking of 1 over but was very professionally in accepting the Umpires judgment. Finally a team shows some respect to the Umpire and to the game of Cricket... unlike you know who, the other team

Caribbean CC Batting: As usual openers Masters aka edLova and Morgan aka Country came out looking very positive and relaxed, the innings got off to a flyer as Masters faced the first ball from Khadar and smashed it in the covers for a speedy double. After the completion of the over, the scintillating swing bowling of Ashok da Avenja Rangandan was introduced in the attack, both batsman played with fiya but they were lucky not to get burn right away, a canisters of an extinguisher was seen near by just incase. The opening pair Ed Lova and Country was beginning to look dangerous as they were able to negotiate the fire of the dragon scoring at will. Masters clubbed a sixer but his luck was soon running out with The highlight of the day a catch taken by Mohammad Khan aka Moka of RCC. Who has been under fire for dropping catches against WISC. But came back against United by taking a blazing on drive and a lofted off drive. The RCC skippa Sheikh Mohammad sent the secret message to Ashok da Avenja and Moka was sent to the deep midwicket boundary. Here is the scenario narrated blow by blow for those of you who missed a catch that will be talked about for years like a folklore

Ashok from the Albany Ave end, bowls to Masters ed Lova, who goes for the big hit and the ball is launched like a rocket high in the sky and is heading towards midwicket, Moka is running to get under the ball, the ball is a little behind him, he over stepped, but wait he puts his right hand behind him and dives backward, lands on his back and does two reverse summersaults and comes up wid--da-ball. Oh-my god that was incredible. The RCC players and fans are extatic, there is total mayhem on the field. Ed lova jaw just dropped and hit the floor. All the dance hall queens are running on to the field they want Moka, they are on top of him ripping his shirt off and exposing his gorgeous chest carved out of stone like a Inca god. Oh lad have mercy. The dance hall queens are doing something to Moka right on the field, All I can say that I would definitely want to be treated like that from a bevy of beautiful ladies, Masters was gone scoring 17. After all the honeys got off the field, Caribbean sent in their best batsman and the League top run scorer, the very technically accomplished Everton Nelson, he was watchful for the first few balls he faced but really could not play his shots as the Rcc combination of Raj Rai and JC Ballie kept him at bay, frustrating his every attempt to dislodge the ball, at one point Nelson was totally bamboozled by a Ballie delivery, falling on the pitch, not able to negotiate the left arm movements of Ballie. He was eventually bowled by the wicked Spin of Raj Rai for 19. Similarly Morgan was also a victim from the dangerous Ballie as Chokshi took a simple catch sending him back for 19.

The new pair of Wayne Bennett and Heran Munisar did not last long, particular in the case of Munisar who by the way was a former Riverside player, Munisar received some good humor sledging form his former team-mates. He looked nervous, but was soon undone by another unplayable delivery from Ballie, giving a nick to Sheik waiting with a pair of fresh wicket keeping gloves. Munisar was gone for a disappointing 1. Bennet was to soon follow, again completely bowled by Ballie for 19. At this stage Caribbean was four for 82. The only other contributor with the bat was Val Campbell scoring a painful 21, sympathy to the Caribbean Fans, they were not please with the slow scoring rate of Campbell. Garrison scored 9 and Gayle helped the cause with an eventful 14. At the end of the 39th over Caribbean had a decent 138 for 6 on board. Will this be enough!!

Riverside CC Batting: Captain Sheik Mohammad presented a new batting line up, adding the right ingredients to add fuel to the Rcc explosion. The Captain and JC Ballie opened the innings with Sheik taking first blood against the venom of the Caribbean bowling attack. Sheik played his shots placing the ball in the perfect gap, accumulating runs quickly, but an Umpire verdict send him back to the stands, scoring 5. In came the man of the moment Mohamad Moka Khan, pairing up with Ballie both batsman looked solid and was most aggressive with the bat, Ballie was playing his shots at will knocking the ball all over the ground. Moka made sure he had some fun as he whacked a few quick runs, the fans new Moka was not one to disappoint them, as he is know for his terra fabulous big hits, Morgan send down a quick delivery on the leg and Moka ravaged it hitting the ball at the deepest part of the ground high over the trees almost landing of Ridgefield street. The spectators was amazed as was the Rcc players, it was a mammoth sixer. Of course Ballie got in the act as well slamming the ball with contempt. Both of these batsman established a great foundation for Rcc as the runs kept flowing. Moka pulled another ball from the off stump and send it over the ropes for another crowd pleasing six, but attempting another aggressive stroke he was judged LBW by the Umpire, contributing 19. At this stage Rcc were 2 for 49.

The inform Shannan Ragnauth came in after scoring 82 against United the previous week, continued where he left off adding more runs as he became his team leading scorer, Shannan played his shots and dispatched the lose ones to the fence. This partnership was looking good but Ballie was again judged LBW by the Umpire.. do I see a trend here., Next batsman in was Tony Kallicharan, facing the spin of Garrison but it was not his day as Tony was surprised by the extra spin, going forward and miss judge his shot, with the ball clipping the bails, he was gone for 9, In came Ashok the worlds most hardcore cricketer who reminds me of a Machine, this guy just keep on going and going or is that the Energizer Bunny. As Shannan was having his way with the bowlers belting the ball around and helping the Rcc cause, Ashok kept his bat busy scoring with ease. Both of these guys took the score to within a few runs of the target, but Shannan playing a bold shot was caught by the best wicket keeper in the league Wyane Bennett after top scoring again with a valuable 35. Ashok looked on as another Rcc weapon entered the field, Mahadeo Big Hitta Ajodhi who does not waste time in the middle, immediately plugging runs and finishing the game off in his own style, by blazing a sixer in the trees, Ajodhi scoring a quickfire 10 and Ashok doing the job as usual scoring a game winning 24 saw to it that Riverside won this game with ease.

Caribbean played a competitive game, but by not having enough bowling was exposed. Riverside kept to the task with a well deserved victory. Rcc Captain was impressive on his debut, utilizing the players to the greatest results.

Until next week Funnboy says "Hasta La Vista Baby"

Man of the Match J.C Ballie : 23 Runs & 3 Wickets