Presentation move into PowerGen Intercol finals

SKIPPER Manoj Sirju produced an inspired allround performance and yesterday piloted Presentation College, Chaguanas to the final of the PowerGen Secondary Schools Cricket League Intercol competition. Pres defeated giant-killers Toco Composite by 93 runs in their semi-final encounter played at the Honeymoon Park in Tacarigua. Toco had created the biggest upset of the 2005 competition when they dethroned the highly-favoured star-studded Barrackpore Secondary Comprehensive in their nationwide quarter-finals at Pierre Road earlier in the week.

But the boys from the eastern seaside fishing village had their spirits deflated when they themselves failed to lift their performance to match those of the Central-based lads. Sent in to take first strike, Presentation lost two early wickets but skipper Sirju and Kevon Lalloo steadied the ship and restored respectability with a determined 42-run third wicket partnership. Sirju, a former national under 19 player, smashed four fours when he departed for an attractive 32 while Lalloo eventually topscored with 37, which contained one five and two fours.

Kendall Ramsaroop made 11 while national under 19 captain Kavesh Kantasingh chipped in with 10 at the end as they were bowled out for 157 off their allotted 30 overs. Akiel Timothy and Bradley McCletchie bowled impressively for the Toco lads and finished with four wickets for 24 runs and three for 18 respectively in their six-over stints. Set a victory target of a little more than five runs per over, Toco batsmen succumbed to the wiles of Sirju who bagged two wickets for 16 runs from six overs. Kendall Ramsaroop snared two for 15 from four overs and Kantasingh who claimed two wickets for two runs from only two overs.

They were routed for a paltry 64 all out off 22 overs. There were three run outs during their innings while Jairaj Dilraj got the other wicket for 30 runs from his six overs. Timothy and Gewan Ramroop were the only batsmen into the double figures with 14 each. Presentation will meet the winner of the other semi-final match between Princes Town Senior Comprehensive and Naparima College.The grand final is carded for next Friday and will be contested under floodlights at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre.

Summarised Score:
Presentation College: 157 all out off 30 overs. (Manoj Sirju 32, Kevon Lalloo 37, Kendall Ramsaroop 11, Kavesh Kantasingh 10; Akiel Timothy 4 for 24, Bradley McCletchie 3 for 18).
Toco Composite: 64 all out in 22 overs (Akiel Timothy 14, Gewan Ramroop 14, Manoj Sirju 2 for 16, Kendall Ramsaroop 2 for 15, Kavesh Kantasingh 2 for 2, Jairaj Dilraj 1 for 30).
Result: Presentation College won by 93 runs. Man of Match: Manoj Sirju (Presentation).