Clarke Rd bury Pirates to end tour unbeaten

Clarke Rd bury Pirates to end tour unbeaten
Friday, August 21 2015

FIRST Citizens Clarke Road United completed their fivematch tour of Jamaica with a victory over host team Treasure Beach Pirates in the only T20 match on their schedule.

The Clarke Road, Penal cricketers adapted well once again, taking first strike for the first time on tour and were given a rousing start by openers Mark Deyal and Kazeem Mohammed who set up a challenging total of 143 for seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Jamaican national team player Marquino Mindley pegged the visitors back in the final overs of the innings but in their turn at the crease, Treasure Beach Pirates found the varied bowling option of leg-spinner Kerwyn Sirju and off-spinner Samuel Roopnarine too much to handle and were bundled out for 82.

Coach of the FC Clarke Road, former national player Roland Sampath, in a post-match presentation ceremony, thanked hosts Breds Foundation under the leadership of Jason Henzell and WI Cricket Board director, Dr Donovan Bennett.

Sampath expressed the TT club’s appreciation for their initial invitation to tour and for their efficient organisation and warm hospitality during the entire period of his team’s stay in Jamaica.

The TT Red Force team manager also praised the Clarke Road team for its focus and discipline on and off the field and highlighted the performances of the younger members of his squad who rose to the occasion when it was required of them.

In the final match on tour Kjorn Ottley captained the team in the absence of his younger brother Yannick, who returned home one day ahead of his teammates due to study commitments.

While the Clarke Road senior team was in Jamaica, the club’s Under-16s visited Tobago, engaging in two matches, with mixed results.

During this period too, their Under-13 team competed against a visiting St Catherine’s team of Barbados when they emerged second best.

The Clarke Road club’s attention to development underpins the many successes of the Penal outfit under the visionary leadership of their management team headed by president Baldath Mahabir, an executive member of the TT Cricket Board and director of the WICB.

Scores: Clarke Road 143/7 in 20 overs (Mark Deyal 59, Kazeem Mohammed 39, Vikash Mohan 18, Marquino Mindley 3/27, Ramaal Lewis 2/11) vs Treasure Beach Pirates 82 all out in 16 overs (K. Holness 22, Samuel Roopnarine 2/16, Kerwyn Sirju 2/9).