… will clash with either DCC or Police quarter-finalists

By Brij Parasnath

DEFENDING champions Club Crusoe kept alive their chances of successfully defending their UWI-UNICOM T20 crown by securing the first semi-final berth of the 2017 competition.
The Tobago-based team fought bravely to overpower Central Sports by four runs in a closely contested quarter-final encounter at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial ground, St Augustine campus on Tuesday.Having batted first, Tobago’s champion team chalked up 161 all out in 19.2 overs. Their bowlers applied tremendous pressure and were backed up by very good fielding as they restricted Central Sports to 157 for 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
In the semi-final carded for tomorrow evening from 18:00hrs, Club Crusoe will clash with the winner of the fourth quarter-final match between Demerara Cricket Club (Group C winner) and Police Sports Club (Group B runner-up) which was contested last night under floodlights at the same venue.
The DCC team, playing in the tournament for the first time; have shown tremendous fighting spirit and is highly favoured to topple the Police outfit and clinch the other semi-final berth.
The winner of the tournament will collect TT$35 000.
Club Crusoe’s Rachad Forde emerged as the overall hero and was voted Man-of-the-Match for his brilliant all-round performance. He struck three sixes and three fours in his 42 runs (22 balls) and then displayed his genuine all-round ability by claiming two wickets for 26 runs from his four overs.
In addition to his heroics with both bat and ball, Forde showed his prowess in the outfield and held on to five catches and was involved in a run-out, a direct hit that prevented Central Sports from creating a major upset.
Christopher Vincent topscored for Club Crusoe with 62 that included five sixes and four fours off 37 deliveries while Vikash Rampersad smashed three sixes in his 20 runs.
Jahron Alfred claimed three wickets for 15 runs off 3.2 overs and was supported by Rakesh Maharaj (2 for 15, 2 overs) and Varoon Samaroo (2 for 26, 4 overs).
In reply, Central Sports made a valiant effort to overhaul the Tobagonians’ score but fell short and were eliminated. Kjorn Ottley got 39 that contained six fours off 29 deliveries while Alex Antoine hammered three sixes and a four off 13 balls. Alfred made 28 off 27 balls.
Former Trinidad and Tobago’s senior pacer Navin Stewart supported Forde and scalped two wickets for 31 from four overs while Zard Clarke took two for 22 from 3.3 overs.
Summarised scores: CLUB CRUSOE 161 all out in 19.2 overs (Christopher Vincent 62, Rachad Forde 42, Vikash Rampersad 20; Jahron Alfred 3 for 15, Rakesh Maharaj 2 for 15, Varoon Samaroo 2 fie 26) versus CENTRAL SPORTS 157 for 9 off 20 overs (Kjorn Ottley 39, Alex Antoine 28, Jahron Alfred 28; Rachad Forde 2 for 26, Navin Stewart 2 for 31 and Zard Clarke 2 for 22).