By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada — Already with an imposing record in the Premiere League after romping to six consecutive championships, Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) have signalled their intentions to continue their dominance in the inaugural Elite League following two impressive victories in the opening rounds of the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) 2016 season here.HACC’s latest win came via a five-wicket thrashing over Scarborough Cricket Club (SCC) at the Terry Fox ground in Scarborough on Sunday, following their opening-round triumph against Bawa Cricket Club who were penalised for their atrocious onfield behaviour at Ashtonbee the previous weekend.
Set a modest 99 for victory after restricting last season’s Premiere League finalists, SCC, to 98 all out in 39.5 overs, HACC were in a spot of bother at 45 for five in the 12th over before former Guyana captain Damodar Daesrath (21 not out) and Zaheer Allard (28 not out) averted any further alarms, reaching the required target in 23.1 overs. Opener Surendra Seeraj had earlier hit 25.
SCC’s innings was undermined by Daesrath, who completed a fine all-round performance, claiming four for eight in 7.5 overs while Allard supported well with three for 19 off 9 overs. SCC’s main scorer was Somar Lukman with 34 while S. Raj scored 23.
In the opening fixture, which ended with opponents Bawa conceding victory after HACC were well in command and needing a mere five runs to complete the formality. There were several useful performances, chief among them was the all-round effort of Seeraj who bagged three for 21 when Bawa batted and came back to slam a quick-fire 36 with three sixes and three fours.
Needing 151 for victory after Bawa were bowled out for 150 in 48.4 overs, HACC were 146 for five in 26.4 overs when their opponents disrupted the game in a show of poor gamesmanship. The umpires subsequently awarded the game to HACC while the matter is engaging the attention of the SCA.
When the game was unnecessarily aborted, skipper Hemnarine Chattergoon was undefeated on 33 with two sixes and a four while Daesrath had earlier smashed two sixes and two fours in 27 and Doodnauth Singh 27,
Apart from Seeraj, vice-captain Rishi Samuel (three for 12 and Munaf Khan (two for 33) were the main bowlers while Daesrath bowled an immaculate spell of eight overs for 10 runs, including five consecutive maidens.
Though unavoidably absent from both games, HACC president Narchand ‘Archie’ Mohan is understandably pleased with the performances of his charges and is looking forward to another great season. HACC will take on Highland Creek Cricket Club in their next game, set for Saturday, June 11 at Ashtonbee.