Mario Belcon was among three batsmen scoring half centuries to put Merry Boys in a strong position against defending champions Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC) on the first day of the third round match in the T&T Cricket Board National League competition, yesterday.
Belcon (86), Jeetendra Sookdeo (84 not out) and Isaiah Rajah (82) all got into the eighties as Merry Boys were dismissed for 315 shortly before the close of play.
After Merry Boys lost former West Indies Under-19 batsman Amir Jangoo for two, Belcon and Rajah combined to add 157 for the second wicket. Rajah was the aggressor cracking 12 fours and one six in 127 deliveries, while Belcon struck eight fours and one six in his 149-ball knock.
With wickets falling around him, Sookdeo scored quickly in the second half of the innings to help the Diego Martin club past 300 runs. Sookdeo faced 115 balls which included eight fours and one six.
Out-of-favour national spin bowler Akeal Hosein snatched 5/94 for the Parkites, while Khary Pierre took 2/72.
At the Powergen Ground in Syne Village, Penal, Guyanese Royston Crandon struck 166 to guide Powergen to a massive 339/9 at stumps against Alescon Comets. Jeron Maniram (77) and Gregory Mahabir (32) also made contributions to the total. Bowling for Comets, Stephon Solomon grabbed 4/37 and Emile Rajah snatched 2/82.
Round five will take place today in the 50-over competition, before the third round of matches in the National League continues next weekend.
SCORES: At Queen’s Park Oval: Merry Boys 315 (Mario Belcon 86, Jeetendra Sookdeo 84 not out, Isaiah Rajah 82, Akeal Hosein 5/94, Khary Pierre 2/72) vs Queen’s Park
At Barrackpore West: Jailal Enterprise Victoria 108 (Clevon Patterson 24, Anderson Phillip 3/28, Kerwin Sirju 3/22, Samuel Roopnarine 2/6, Derone Davis 2/32) vs FC Clarke Road 138 (Jyd Goolie 50 not out, Adrian Ali 22, Fareel Jugmohan 3/67, Garey Mathurin 6/48)
At Tableland: Jenexcon Tableland 141/5 (Al Small 60 not out, Daniel Williams 33, Javed Boodram 3/31) vs T&T Prisons Service
At Syne Village: Powergen 339/9 (Royston Crandon 166, Jeron Maniram 77, Gregory Mahabir 32, Stephon Solomon 4/37, Emile Rajah 2/82) vs Alescon Comets
TODAY’S 50-OVER MATCHES
Powergen vs T&T Prisons Service, Syne Village
Merry Boys vs FC Clarke Road, Wilson Road
Jenexcon Tableland vs Jailal Enterprise Victoria, Tableland
Alescon Comets vs Queen’s Park, Pierre Road