Hillview clinch schools double with T20 crown

Having won the league title earlier in the season, Hillview’s bowlers Jaen Phillitte Barrie, Kareem Muradalli, Sachin Seecharran and Teshawn Alleyne exhibited great discipline and variations to bowl out Naparima for a paltry 97 in 20 overs.

In reply, Hillview romped to an impressive victory through an entertaining unbeaten 45 by Seecharran who sparked celebrations with 7.2 overs to spare.

Skipper Dexter Sween (16 not out) ensured that there was no hiccups and featured in an unbroken 57-run third wicket stand with Seecharran who was voted “Player of the Match” for his mature innings of 45 and two wickets for 22 from three overs.

It was an inspirational all-round performance that rallied Hillview to the historic double.

Naparima found themselves in serious trouble when their talented skipper Cephas Cooper was dismissed cheaply for two and created panic among his less experienced teammates who succumbed to the wiles of Kareem Muradalli (4/21) and Seecharran (2/22).

But it was new ball bowler Jaen Phillitte Barrie who undermined Naps’ experienced front-line batsmen and put the skids on the San Fernando-based team.

The medium pacer struck in the first over and claimed the prized wicket of West Indies Under 19 opener Cooper who offered an easy catch to wicketkeeper Leonardo Julien in the first over.

Naps were eight for two when Justyn Gangoo fell to West Indies under 19 fast bowler Teshawn Alleyne and Barrie later got rid of Ariel Telesford to make it 21 for three.

Avinash Mahabirsingh (31) and Kyle Roopchand (12) restored some respectability with an enterprising 37-run fourth wicket partnership before Seecharran scalped Roopchand and Jevon George (0) at the same score and left Naps floundering at 57 for five.

Clevon Kalawan (12) energised Naps’ supporters with a couple of lusty blows but the excitement extinguished when the big-hitter used the long handle but skied the catch to skipper Dexter Sween stationed at the mid-wicket boundary.

Keston Bandoo made 10 and Naparima’s innings closed at 97 which proved to be an easy target for the confident Hillview team coached by Richard Kelly.