‘Pres’ Chaguanas cricket champs

Superb unbeaten half-centuries by skipper Dinesh Ramdin and Manoj Sirju enabled Presentation College, Chaguanas to rewrite Trinidad and Tobago Secondary Schools cricket history with their fourth PowerGen InterCol title.

The Central Trinidad school, coached by history master Lalman Kowlessar, brought great pride and joy for their merry band of vocal supporters who danced and rejoiced after the emphatic eight-wicket victory over Tranquillity Government Secondary School at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre on Friday. For the sixth consecutive time Presentation made it to the grand finale and became the first team to win the coveted PowerGen Intercol Trophy four times. It was a most comprehensive victory under floodlights highlighted by the confident and exciting strokeplay of captain Ramdin (63 not out) and wristy Sirju (51 not out).

Set a victory target of 162, Presentation got the required runs with the loss of only two wickets and 7.3 overs to spare. Right-handed Ramdin and left-hander Sirju featured in the match-winning unbroken 138-run third wicket partnership which dashed the hopes of the Tranquillity lads who fought bravely but were outgunned and outclassed by the superior skills and tactics of their quietly-confident opponents. Having won the toss and deciding to take first strike on the easy-paced track, Tranquillity rallied to 161 all out on the final delivery of their allotted 30 overs. Right-handed Petrock Nicholas led the way with an attacking 49, which contained six fours off 52 balls. Skipper Kapil Subran supported with 21 while Colin Ramjohn and Kieron Pollard chipped in with 19 and 15 respectively. Off-spinner Dillon Rampersad was the main-wicket-taker with four for 32 and he copped the “Best Bowler” award.

Although Presentation lost two early wickets, they were rescued and rallied to an historic victory through the brilliance of Ramdin who smashed five scintillating fours and one huge six over extra-cover during his 43-ball innings while Sirju stroked four fours off 59 balls. Before the start of the match, the players were met by Leo Martin (chairman of PowerGen), Garth Chatoor (CEO of PowerGen), Joy Ramlogan (Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs), Alloy Lequay (President of TTCBC), Roy Jagroopsingh (President of the SSCL) and Omar Khan (Corporate Communications Manager of PowerGen). PowerGen have invested over $300,000 annually in secondary schools cricket for the various age-groups (Under-19, 17, 15 and 13) through the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control.

PowerGen InterCol Final Awards
Champions: Presentation College, Chaguanas (Dinesh Ramdin, captain).
Runners-up: Tranquillity Government Secondary School (Kapil Subran, captain).
Best Batsman: Dinesh Ramdin (63 not out off 43 balls) — Presentation College.
Best Bowler: Dillon Rampersad (4 for 32) — Presentation College.
Best Fielder: Mario Belcon (Tranquillity Govt Secondary).
Most Valuable Player: Dinesh Ramdin (63* and two stumpings, two run outs) — Presentation College.