rcc cricket

Riverside Cricket Club Champions of the Connecticut Cricket Hall of Fame Six-A-Side 2000 Tournament.

After five games, two day, lots of sweat and total team work Rcc was rewarded with the grand prize of the Tournament. It all started under bright sun and scorching heat, a day when sunscreen was selling faster that Heinekens. Captain Tony Kallicharan led his pack of Tigers to the feast, these guys had one thing in mind, Win Win Win Win.

Before we get to the main course, how about the day appetizers, as teams were eliminated from the competition, all fans, spectators, entrepreneurs, and a bevy of beautiful ladies kept their eyes on the Tigers. The rain came and went, but the matting was quickly secured by the Hall of Fame Staff in attendance, by the way these guys did a great job keeping the pitch dry. By this time the sun was nowhere in sight with looming clouds overhead and 100 % humidity. It was rough out there for all the players, but the Riverside fans kept up the festivities, screaming, louder that a fire engine and partying like no one had to work the next day.

Riverside had to win a crucial game to qualify for the semi-finals, and this they did only in the Riverside way, stay focused on the prize and played totally hardcore cricket. Rcc faced off against the top seed of the tournament, The Atlantis CC from New York.

Atlantis strong point was there batting throughout the tournament, with their batsman plugging everything over the fence, but Riverside did not let up and bowled them out for 40 runs, this total was not what the fans was looking for, but with a Heineken in one hand and puff in the other, everything was cool.

Riverside changed its batting order to assault this 40 runs and this indeed paid off, openers Captain Tony Kallicharan and Shannan Ragnaught was just what the doctor ordered, from ball one the Tigers was on the prowl looking to ravage and wreck havoc on Atlantis. Captain Kallicharan was especially hungry for runs and even a happy meal, but instead he kept his eyes on the prize and was totally destructive on everything Atlantis sent his way, scoring more that a run a ball, belting eight boundaries, that included four 6's and four 4's , this was indeed a treat to all present at the Keney Park Oval. While the fire was blazing from one end, Shannan kept his flames on warm scoring a supportive 11. Riverside had to over haul the Atlantis 40 runs and had to score at least 68 runs to make it into the Semi-Final, this task was surely completed as Tony played an orgasmic innings scoring 58 runs, with a final score of 73 runs in a sensational five overs The Tigers growl its way to the finals to face the Sri Lankan Lions..

The final show down was played against a very formidable opponent, the Sri Lakan Cricket Club form New York. This was the game of all games, full of excitement and courage from both teams. This contest consisted of eight overs of nail biting action.

Sri Lanka Lions Innings: Rcc won the toss and send the Lions in to bat on a very friendly pitch, the batsmen had a party in the middle clubbing the balls left and right, the Lankans opening pair established a very good total, a partnership of 57, but they fail to capitalized on their excellent start. Riverside created the opportunities at the right moment running out two batsman and taking some spectacular catches in the deep, leaving Sri Lanka in the middle with pure agony, still a very challenging total the SLCC eight overs was good enough for 66 runs.

Riverside Tigers Innings: The usual pair of Tony & Shannan went on the hunt for runs but was not successful in scoring many as the opening partnership totaled a meager six runs, but this set back did not influence the Rcc concentration, Big hitta Mahadeo Ajodhi and Vishnu Tiga Sanichara, kept the runs flowing like a slurpee at the local Seven-Eleven, with the support of Navin Bodnaraine and Raj Rai. Sri Lanka bowled a very tight line and did not give an inch, making it very challenging for the Tigers to score, but someone had to take charge and beat the bowling regardless of the accuracy and control swing of the Lions. Mahadeo played a game saving innings scoring a very valuable 22 runs including a Godzilla size six way over the pavilion. Navin came and went faster than a speeding train without any brakes as he was run out after scoring 8 beautiful runs, runs is runs, This reporter loves any kind of runs... Rcc still was not out of trouble, but the fearless and most determined tiger Vishnu was still in the middle batting with the young cub Raj Rai, the game was hanging and tilting in the Lions favor, Raj was run out for 2, but Riverside kept the concentration level up and played superbly, Vishnu clubbed the ball around, scoring a tremendous 21 and brought home the

Hall of Fame 2000 Six-A-Side Trophy.

Play by Play.final over

"Vishnu and Raj batting, Vishnu gets injured fell on the ground, Raj went over to check on Vish, leave his crease, Sri Lanka fielder remove the bails, Raj is run out.. Rcc need 3 runs from two balls, Vish on strike, with bad leg, Navin comes in as a runner,

Sri Lanka bowls, Vish hit dem for 2 runs.. one ball to go 1 runs, Vish in pain, Lions Bowl , Vish hit the ball on the meat of the bat for 2, All the Rcc fans, lead by Sanjay Jerath, Mark Subramani, Funnboy, & Rakesh ran in the field to celebrate the Exciting Victory, Everyone jumps on Vish and picked him up in the air, carry him off the field ...pouring ice cold Corona on him, it was a scene for eternity a great game.. what a finish.. Game over at 8:05 pm ...Sunday June 11, 2000

Team Tigers: Tony Kallicharan, Vishnu Sanichara, Taj Khadar, Navin Bodnaraine, Raj Rai, Sanjay Patel, Mahadeo Ajodhi

Riverside Honors:

Player of the Tournament Tony Kallicharan scoring 124 runs and taking 5 wickets

Best Batting Tony Kallicharan : Most Sixes Tony Kallicharan (5)

Highest Team score in an Innings (81)

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