FCB Clarke Road new national cricket champs

FIRST CITIZENS Clarke Road United took first innings points off Alescon Comet yesterday to register their first hold on the coveted Carib National League Division One cricket title. Resuming on the overnight position of 25 for three wickets and in pursuit of 124 runs for first innings points, Clarke Road found the perfect combination in Kenton Thompson and veteran Mahadeo Bodoe. Thompson stroked an elegant 76 runs and Bodoe 33 to see Clarke Road to 153 for six wickets declared.

And Comet batting a second time reached 103 for seven wickets declared. Clarke Road finished on 113 points to  take the $35,000 winners’ prize. Dethroned Ceramic Trinidad Merryboys also drew their match with Queen’s Park as both teams ended on 86 points. The “Diego Boys” finished as runners-up this time after claiming first innings points from the Parkites. In the battle to avoid relegation, PowerGen came out on top after rain washed out the major part of the final day. PowerGen resuming on 150 for four wickets declared on 163 for eight and Couva Sports reached 51 for three wickets when the heavens opened up and put paid to any further play.

Clarke Road Cricket Club president Baldath Mahabir said: “The boys worked very hard for their win and they deserve all the success that came their way. I must congratulate the  entire team and special praise must  go to our veteran off-spinner Mukesh Persad who finished with four wickets for 42 runs to end the season with 48 wickets. “He fell just one wicket short of the record held by ex-Test player Rangy Nanan who took 49 wickets in 1987 for Readymix Preysal.

Summarised scores:
At Pierre Road: ALESCON COMET 123 and 103/7 declared — M Persad 4/42 vs FCB CLARKE ROAD 153/6 declared — K Thompson 76, M Bodoe 33.
At the Oval: QUEEN’S PARK 84 — Richard Kelly 8/28 and 90/3 declared vs  CERAMIC TRINIDAD MERRYBOYS 98/5 declared.
At Couva: POWERGEN 163/8 declared vs COUVA 51/3.
At Presentation College: PREYSAL 312 vs TILE IT CENTRAL SPORTS 151/6 declared — Lennox Cush 72 and 117/1.