Trinidad Club scores and news (30 Mar 1997)

Champs Moosai in danger

THE final day of round four in the Carib National League Division one competition bowls off this afternoon.

Defending champions Moosai Sports still lead the table. And following is a recap of play so far and a preview of today's play.

At Brian Lara Recreation Ground: Santa Cruz Sports vs Moosai Sports.

Santa Cruz 258 (C. Yorke 127; G. Mahabir 3/71); Moosai 201-8 (P. Moosai 42; K. Hazel 3/73, C. Yorke 3/230.

Moosai, like other teams before them, are finding out what troublesome opponents Santa Cruz can be on their home turf. With a negligible five-point lead over Sims Central Sports at the start of the fourth round, the champs would have been keen to lengthen that lead and so ease the pressure. But heading into the final day, Moosai are in danger of conceding first innings points. In a match that has not been without incident, the easterners will begin the final afternoon still needing 58 runs to claim eight first innings points to go with the six points they have already collected. Santa Cruz, fifth before this round, owe their good position to the allround efforts of Clint Yorke.

A new recruit this season, the former national player has strengthened the batting. His 127 on the first day set up Santa Cruz's competitive first innings score. And when Moosai batted, Yorke and Ken Hazel put them under pressure taking three wickets each. The pair will be aiming to wrap up the tail early today.

At Charlieville: Alescon Comets vs Sims Central Sports. Comets:162-9 dec. (H. Ballai 69; S. Murray 3/37 ) & 21-2; Central Sports 144 (A. Persad 30; E. Antoine 6/66).

Having already conceded first innings points to Comets, second-placed Central Sports will be looking for four bowling bonus points of their own and a Santa Cruz first innings win over Moosai. At present Mahadeo Bodoe's Chaguanas side are nine points behind the leaders after starting the round five adrift.

With a draw the likely outcome with one day remaining, any points they can pick up will be valuable to Central Sports. Bodoe may not appreciate the Comets resistance at this stage in the season. But the home team will feel that the change in fortune is none too soon. A side that can call on national players Anil Balliram, Eugene Antoine, Dinanath Ramnarine, Nigel Francis, Avidesh Samaroo, Daryl Brown and Mark Ramkissoon ought to have produced better results than it has so far this season. Ramnarine Francis and Samaroo are not playing in this match. But the discarded Antoine supplied the firepower that has put Central Sports on the backfoot. With five points already in the bag from this match, Comets will be looking for more batting points to cement things.

At Inshan Ali Park: Preysal vs Queen's Park 1

Preysal 146 (S. Mohammed 39; M. Carew 3-11); Queen's Park 1 163-2 (A. Lawrence 105 not out).

In this game between two teams desperately in of need points, the Parkites' skipper Andre Lawrence has led the way. His timely unbeaten century, the sixth in Division One so far this season, has already ensured eight first innings points and one bonus point. These nine precious points will go nicely with the four bowling points Queen's Park got for dismissing the home team in their first innings. This afternoon, 37 runs away from 200 and another point, Queen's Park will be looking to add to their booty.

At Gilbert Park: Wanderers vs Clarke Road.

Clarke Road 179 (W. Debissette 81; O. Lakhan 3/35); 182-9 (N. Bidhesi 55).

Clarke Road, third in the standings before is round, have lost some ground because of their narrow loss of first innings points. And with one Wanderers wicket to fall, they will be hoping for an early dismissal and a score in excess of 150 in their second innings to guarantee themselves points that, along with the four they will get for a draw, will put them back ahead of the home team.

Having already acquired first innings points however, Wanderers will be looking to at least get to 200 for one more batting point. This has already been a very productive game for the "Sugar Boys" who have collected 13 points so far. Now on 34 points, they are now two points ahead of Clarke Road (32) and have also gained ground on the front two in the Division.

In a week that has already seen them qualify to defend their 30-overs title, Narine Bidhesi's squad will be looking to put the icing on a sweet week.

Source :: The Trinidad Express (https://www.trinidad.net/express/)