San Juan Sports take aim

San Juan, champions in 2002 and 2003 send a strong signal to current National Champions, C&B United of Tobago when they won their first match in the Top 12 trouncing Dunlop Tigers of Couva by 43 runs at Ramsingh Ground, Couva.

Sent in to bat, San Juan had an opening stand of 34 in eight overs between R Ali (18 runs) and D John (17), but fell away in the middle of their innings due to some impressive bowling fron S Sawh who took four for seven in 3.2 overs.

San Juan were restricted to 78 all out at the end of the 19th over.

Chasing a comfortable 79 runs for victory seemed likely, but fine bowling from Dexter Samuel with four for two in three overs and Anil Dattoo (two for 6 in four overs), Dunlop Tigers were routed for 35 with their best batsman, D Choon making 10.

Their next outing is versus St Michael’s Community College on Sunday at Mc Bean Ground starting at 9 am.

In another match played at Constantine Park in the National Top 12, South powerhouse Penal Specialists captained by former national player, Hollister Pajotte rolled over Old Road Sports of Mc Bean Couva by 63 runs.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Penal Specialists were in early trouble losing two wickets for five runs on the board, but opening batsman Kumar Seepersad with a patient knock of 19 runs steadied Penal Specialists innings enabling his team to reach a respectable 94 for eight in 20 overs. The best bowler for Old Road Sports was K Gajadhar who took three for 14 in four overs.

Old Road Sports, in their turn at the crease lost their first three wickets for 11 runs and never recovered as they were eventually bowled out for a disappointing 31 in the 14th over.

The best bowlers for Penal Specialists was Nicholas Ramphal who took four for four in 3.1 overs and Jason Jairam who took three for one in four overs.

Last year’s national semi-finalists, Base Boys out of Cunupia playing at Constantine Park won over Associates of Tunapuna by six wickets in the National Top 12.

Sent in to bat, Associates were reeling at two for five and then three for 16 before crawling to reach 55 for 10 in 18 overs against some accurate bowling from Robert Brathwaite who took two for 10 in 4 overs and Ryan Ramroop with four wickets for 12 runs in four overs.

The best batsman for Associates was Jaleel Baksh who made 13 runs at the top of the innings.

Base Boys, playing with some measure of confidence, showed it during their innings with an opening partnership of 18 and continued their march towards victory as J Sutherland with a patient 15 runs guided their team home to victory in the 17th over losing only four wickets for 59 runs to secure their first win in their Group in the National Top 12.

The best bowler for Associates was A Gilkes who took two for 11 in four overs.

KEY NATIONAL TOP 12 FIXTURES

On Saturday — 3 pm— C & B Utd Penal Specialists, Shaw Park Tobago; 3.30 pm— San Juan Sports vs St Michael’s College, Mc Bean Couva; 3 pm— Five Rivers Artilleros vs Kings XI, Prime Ministers Park

On Sunday— 9 am— Dunlop Tigers vs St Michael’s College, Mc Bean Couva; 10 am— C&B Utd vs Old Road Sports, Shaw Park, Tobago; 10 am— New Recruits vs Associates, Constantine Park; 2.30 pm— Base Boys vs New Recruits, Constantine Park; 10 am— Sunrise Youths vs Five Rivers Artilleros, Constantine Park