PRESENTATION College San Fernando are maiden Secondary Schools’ Cricket League (SSCL) Premiership champions.
The south school achieved the feat by executing an emphatic nine-wicket victory over St Benedict’s College at Union Hall Grounds in San Fernando on Tuesday.
The victory was their seventh straight for the season, which completed their flawless run of form in the tournament.
After ‘Pres’ won the toss and chose to bowl, St Benedict’s scored slowly but weren’t looking too bad at 42/2.
It was then the landslide started and they capitulated for just 85 runs from 35.4 overs, with opener Josh Telemaque top scoring with 33; the only batsman to score double figures. Five batsmen were unable to get off the mark.
Presentation pacer Ricardo Chase (4/19) was ruthless in his six-over spell while Khaleem Mohammed (3/1) was also on point. Skipper Nickyle Jalim chipped in with 2/14 while Aadin Racha (1/10) were among the wickets.
[caption id="attachment_1006910" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Presentation College San Fernando batsman Riyaad Mohammed plays a shot against St Benedict's College in the PowerGen Secondary School Cricket Premiership division match, on Tuesday, against St Benedict's College, at the Union Hall Recreation Grounds, San Fernando. - Marvin Hamilton[/caption]
In their turn at the crease, Presentation openers Khaleem and Riyaad Mohammed made light work of St Benedict’s bowling attack before the lunch break.
Khaleem started the innings confidently as he smashed the first bowler for a six off his opening delivery, then hit a boundary on the second. The Mohammed pair played comfortably and entered the lunch break at 61 without loss.
But when they returned to the middle, Khaleem attempted a big shot on the first ball back out and had his stumps rattled by Kristoff Seeraj. He finished as ‘Pres’ top scorer with 43 from 21 balls, comprising two sixes and six fours.
Riyaad was joined by Aadi Ramsaran and the pair played patiently to lead them to the school’s first-ever SSCL Premiership title.
[caption id="attachment_1006909" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Presentation College San Fernando's top scorer Riyaad Mohammed (R) and a teammate celebrate after beating St Benedict's College by nine wickets during the SSCL Premier Division title-deciding match, on Tuesday, at the Union Hall Recreation Grounds, San Fernando. - Marvin Hamilton[/caption]
As their teammates lined the boundary rope and spectators got off their chairs in anticipation of Riyaad smashing the winning one run, he pulled a shot through off-side for four to spark frenzied celebrations at the south venue.
Presentation players stormed the field, hugged the batsmen and lifted them into the air.
Principal Dexter Mitchell, teachers, parents, students and other supporters made a circle around the pitch and said a prayer giving thanks for their historic achievement.
Title-winning coach Rydell Ramsaran said, “With the quality of players we had th
