FunnBoy Game Report

As the summer is coming to an end the runs are flowing and the rains stop falling, Sunday fiesta was hot and steamy, steamy enough to show some skin and I did see a lot, yeah oh yeah. This clash between two very hardcore teams was exactly what the fans in attendance got to see Riverside and Bridgeport lots of love between these bunch of action cricketers.

The toss was won by Bridgeport, and they decided to have a bat on a speedy pitch with the ball flying in, rushing on the ribs, crack crack, luv it. The weather was exactly what you got in August nice and hot and a bit sticky, like gum on your shoe. This intense game would decide the final spot for the playoffs as both team needed to win to clinch that position. Tensions from both side was obvious but neither side showed it, two of the league's best umpires were on hand to officiate this mother of all games, with the very imposing Syd Downer and scholarly Jack Palmer bringing their knowledge and experience to this cricket jamboree. The fans got their money's worth and more, as timber slammed on leather.

Bridgeport Batting: Openers Khaliq and Kumar came in the center but their honeymoon did not last long, Riverside leading wicket taker Taj Khadar steamed in with his second delivery to Khaliq who offered a simple catch to the keeper. Khadar delivery was just too good for the batsman. 1 down for no run. Kumar was joined by West to continue their affair, stabilizing the innings with some sensible batting. After these two guys played some super shots it was time for them to go, and Riverside most experience bowler Ashok Ranganadan saw to it, first bowling Kumar and having West played at an inswinger giving a catch to the safe hands of JC Ballie. At this point Bridgeport was 3 for 53. Well the fans was starting to get a little restless, as their beloved team looked to head for doomsday.This didn't happen that fast with two new batsman on the go, enter Lynch and Rauniyar, both looked good not only with the bat but with their cricket fashions, however Rauniyar must have been in a hurry, after facing a few penetrative overs for Ashok and Ballie, he became victim number 3 to the master, the original swinger Ashok. Lynch played to the merit of every delivery, the Riverside attack was brilliant, not letting the batsman do there thang. Yeah that's right. With Lynch playing safe, he was joined by the crowd favorite the Inzamam look alike Baba Khan, this guy was cocky and jumpy. Baba played with aggression knocking a few over the ropes with a Hugh sixer in the pond. But Baba was not all that attempting to smash one back over the bowler head, he instead knock the ball right back to Choskhi taking a superb return catch. At this stage Bridgeport was 5 for 113.

Steve Pitter replace Baba Khan and immediately the game change. Steve with his big bat came in with only one thing in mind, that was to blast the bowlers around and this was exactly what happen. He clobbered sixes and four to all part of the ground racing to 25 in three overs, Lynch on the other end was enjoying the fire works scoring his ones and twos. Steve wasn't done yet, with the bowling change it didn't matter as the ball was hit even harder, all this happening the Bridgeport fans was loving it yelling Steve, Steve, Steve, he definitely herd his name smashing a few more. With the overs coming to an end fast, Steve try to smash a yorker but he wasn't able to, bam bam Steve was bowled by Shannan Ragnauth. Steve scored 47 sensational runs, pleasing his team and his die hard supporters. Lynch made 29 and Smith not out on 2. After 38 grueling overs Bridgeport closed their innings at 177. Will this be enough, ah that's what Bridgeport thought.

Riverside Batting: To say Riverside was batting would be an understatement. It was more like a performance at Carnige Hall, these guys were totally in command. Openers Sheik Mohamad and Jc Ballie face the venom of the Bridgeport attack and was more than happy to score easily. But attempting a quick run, Captain Sheik Mohamad was run out by a brilliant direct hit, Rcc 1 for 20. No need to worry, enter the heavy hand of Moka Mohammad Khan, after beating up on Norwalk the previous week he was ready for another big score. Of course with Khan and Ballie at the crease things was bound to happen. Steve and Brown kept a serious line bowling accurately, but the Riverside batsman was more than happy to negotiate the incoming projectiles, Ballie looked really marvelous, hooking a vicious bouncer from Steve for a mammoth six. Steve didn't like this one bit, but Ballie was more than up for the challenge. Moka kept the runs flowing clobbering two consecutive 4's pulling one from the off stumps, this guy is know for his sly batting style. As Ballie was going for a fence clearing shot he was caught off the bowling of BABA ending his stay at the crease with 12 runs. Soon after Moka Khan was attempting another one of his power shots, but on this occasion he was clean bowled, scoring 22, again Baba took the scalp. Well the fourth wicket partnership between Tony kallichara and Shannan Ragnauth was one that all in attendance will forever remember. Shannon played a super and cerebral role in this stay at the crease, scoring 18.

Tony Kallicharan being Riverside and the league top scorer this season, once again demonstrated why he is this good. The Bridgeport players knew exactly what will happen if they couldn't contain Tony, but it was already too late, Tony had one goal, that was to destroy and demolished the opposition at all cost, especially as this game meant the season will be over for the losing side. Tony set out to establish his innings in his usual way, playing a few overs, getting the ball in sight. He only required two overs for this exercise. Bowlers please put on your helmet. Ready for the ride of you life. incoming delivery, there it go for a king size sixer way over the trees. wow! another four was hit, Tony played, bam that was a sixer bam bam another sixer. Tony was on fire hitting everything that came to him with contempt. This guy was on the express lane. Bridgeport was in deep trouble as none of their strategy worked, Balls was flying all over the place, even the ones you scratch. ah ha. Tony quickly raced to 50 without breaking a sweat, reason being this run machine hardly ran singles as every other delivery was heading for the ropes. Bridgeport tried to get this guy out but they didn't help their cause, dropping a simple catch. Tony kept the magic going using his willow like a fly swatter. Beating the ball, he was severe on three occasions, his sixes caused the ball to be lost in the high bushes surrounding the ground. He quickly added runs to his total hitting Smith for 23 in one entraining over. Tony was on a rampage noting could stop this locomotive, his innings was pure ecstasy with blows and strokes to all parts, giving everyone something to remember, especially the Dance Hall Queens.His innings came to an end when he hit the winning runs in style, belting one to the boundary ropes, Scoring a game winning 101 not out. His innings contain nine 6's and four 4's. The partnership between he and Shannan was worth 107 for the fourth wicket. Must be a record. This was batting at the best, no-one will forget this day especially the opposition as Tony single handedly Knock Bridgeport out of the 2000 playoffs, For Tony match winning efforts he was given a grand prize $500.00 from Team Sponsor Jc Ballie. Riverside is looking forward to the playoffs.... going to the next level.

This was a very competitive and exciting match from both teams, the game was played in a gentlemanly sprite, with everyone respecting each other and obeying the Umpires at all times. The Bridgeport Fans and Supporters were magnificent supporting their team all the way. A great game of Cricket.

Man of the Match Tony Kallicharan: 101 not out

Tony Innings 1.1.6.1.4.6.2.1.6.2.6.4.6.2.1.1.1.2.1.6.2.6.6.1.2.1.1.3.6.2.4.2.2.4

Until next time, FunnBoy says Don't worry be Happy or something like dat