Clarke Road look for revenge

FCB Clarke Road are optimistic of beating W-Connection Wanderers in their Carib Shield quarter-final cricket match at Gilbert Park, California today from 4 pm. The defending NCL Division One champions, led by Mahadeo Bodoe rebounded from their second round shock defeat to Wanderers the previous weekend to whip Tile It Central Sports in a third round clash at Wilson Road. The weekend victory will boost the Penal boys as they seek revenge on Wanderers in the knockout phase of the competition. Wanderers were on the receiving end of a third round NCL defeat to Alescon Comet at Pierre Road, Charlieville on Sunday. That defeat knocked the Connection Boys off the top of the standings and dented their pride.

Sean Siloch stamped his ability with a brilliant unbeaten 138 and along with Tishan Maraj, Guyanese Homchand Pooran, Bodoe, Alan Mahabir and Ryerson Bhagoo, they are capable of responding to any total set them by Wanderers. But it will be the bowling of Mukesh Persad, David Sultan, Bodoe, Mahabir and Siloch which has to be spot on to deny another runs-fest from Wanderers’ exciting opening pair of William Perkins and Looknath Ramsuchit. In addition there are veterans Narine Bidhesi and Keno Mason, captain Joel Pamphille and Brent Lezama. Comet, Group “C” winners, will host Ceramic Merry Boys (Group “A” runners-up) in another quarter-final match at Pierre Road, Charlieville where they deprived Wanderers of  registering two consecutive NCL victories over the established Division One clubs.

Hard-hitting Lincoln Roberts has been in fine touch and his explosive strokeplay along with Mario Belcon, Clifton Halls, Aneil Kanhai, Kenton Thompson and Leron Lezama. The Patna Village team has a formidable bowling line-up in Marlon Black, Ken Hazel, Ryan Best and Dale Douglas and must start as favourite to advance to the semi-finals. The homesters will be depending on the form of attacking opener Chris Magram, Guyanese Travis Dowlin and veteran allrounder Rajendra Mangalie to stop Merry Boys from their march to another limited-overs title. At  Syne Village, PowerGen Sports are expected to put up stern resistance against Clico Preysal while Queen’s Park will be at home at The Oval to Tile It Central Sports in the other quarter-finals today.

Dwayne Bravo will add further strength to the Parkites team which has a cadre of promising young players like Jonathan Augustus, Kierron Pollard, Samuel Felix, Petrock Nicholas and Rishard Harris. In addition, they have the two stalwarts in skipper Ricardo Paty and Barbadian Vasbert Drakes, both of whom are capable match-winners. Without the services of national players Samuel Badree, Dave Mohammed and Amit Jaggernauth, PowerGen bowling resources will be fully tested as they seek to cramp the style the ball-beaters Andy Jackson, Shazam Babwah, Dary Balgobin and Aaron Ragoonath as well as stylish Satish Naidoo. All Division Two teams were knocked out after the round robin series.