PowerGen look for first Sunday League cricket crown

After finishing runners-up for the past two years, PowerGen Sports will be going all out today to win their first Carib Sunday League cricket title when they clash with Alescon Comet at Gilbert Park in California. So far the major factor that may determine the outcome is the weather as yesterday pouring rain pelted down on the Gilbert Park outfield. Regulars at the central venue said yesterday that any further rain last night or early this morning would lead to no play for the day. The two days originally scheduled in March at Guaracara Park for the finals were badly affected by rain and the organisers at that time deemed the title shared.

However after negotiations among the major stakeholders including Carib Brewery, the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control (TTCBC) and the teams it was decided that the match be re-played. Guaracara Park was not available today as plans were afoot to stage an Indian musical concert tomorrow night at the venue. The match was then shifted to Gilbert Park which possess one of the best cricket pitches and outfield at the present time. PowerGen official Omar Khan told Newsday yesterday that he was confident his team can reverse the trend where they lost the finals over the past two seasons. “This PowerGen team has so much talent that once the guys focus they can win the Cup.

PowerGen have been playing better cricket in the shortened version of the game this season and I am confident that once the weather lets up we can have a good game. By nature our young players are very attacking and this has brought us the success in the limited overs matches,” he said. Comet on the hand are still licking their wounds from their three-run loss to W-Connection Wanderers in the final of the Carib Cup. They will be coming hard at the southerners today. Skipper Suruj Ragoonath is in good form with the bat and will be leading from the helm with help from West Indies opener Daren Ganga and the impressive Imran Khan. The match will get going at 9.30 am with the winners getting a purse of $30,000.

Teams:
PowerGen: Samuel Badree (capt), Rajkumar Mahadeo, Nicholas Ramphal, Joel Surujbally, Denzil James, Jason Mohammed, Kavesh Kantasingh, Brent Harriot, Farrell Jugmohan, Krishendath Persad, Nigel Beckles, Rizwan Mohammed, Andy Beharry, Sherwin Ganga and Amit Jaggernauth. Manager Chaitram Ranjitsingh, player/coach: David Williams.
Comet: Suruj Ragoonath (capt), Daren Ganga, Imran Khan, Anil Balliram, Chris Magram, Rajendra Mangallie, Junior Sadhoo, Fazil Baksh, Nicholas Ramjass, Dinanath Ramnarine, Avidesh Samaroo, Steve Rudal, Anthony George, Rayon Griffith and Kerwin John. Manager Albert Ho Sing Loy, coach Dyanand Jagroop.

PAST WINNERS 1994-2003
Year Winners Runner-up
1994 QPCC  Wanderers
1995 Moosai’s  Police
1996 Moosai’s  Wanderers
1997 QPCC  Central Spts
1998 Central Spts Moosai’s
1999 Comet  Moosai’s
2000 Clarke Road  Merryboys
2001 Comet  Merryboys
2002 Comet  PowerGen
2003 Preysal  PowerGen