By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada – The predominantly Guyanese side, Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) started the 2018 season in a blaze of glory with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Knightly Cricket Club when the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) Elite League got underway last Saturday at the L’amareaux ground, Scarborough here.

The victory was engineered by a masterful spell of swing bowling by Abdul Ramzan who claimed an amazing six for 36 from his quota of 10 overs and former Guyana youth player Harrinarine Chattergoon who backed up with four for 34 in 9.2 overs, as newly promoted Knightly were skittled for a paltry 86 in 22.2 overs in the 50-over affair.

HACC, who had to settle for the runner-up spot to eventual winners Highland Creek in last year’s final, reached the required target in 21.2 overs on a heavy outfield.

It should be noted that Chattergoon who was vacationing in Guyana arrived back in Toronto a few hours before the game started and was “escorted” from the Pearson International airport to the venue.

Leading the way for HACC in the batting department was opener Reyaz Prahalad with an attacking 33 which included two sixes while Azhad Amidon was unbeaten on 28 when victory was achieved. Prahalad, one of HACC’s most consistent batsmen, missed the entire 2017 season due to injury.

While HACC were making light work of Knightly, defending champions Highland Creek suffered an early setback, going down to Scarborough Cricket Club (SCC) by five wickets at Ashtonbee Number One.

Set a challenging 267 for victory, after Highland Creek were dismissed for 266 in 47.1 overs, SCC eased to 270 for five with former Canadian player Asif Mulla smashing a brilliant 119 while Aarif Talati and Samad Abdul supported with 62 and 39 respectively. Talha Kirmani took two for 38.

Earlier, Highland Creek got consistent performances from Vishal Adlakha (58 with seven fours and two sixes), Farhan Khan (56 with nine fours) Ali Khan (34), Rayyankhan (33) and Kartik Desai (23). Mustak Variava claimed three for 46 from 10 overs, Samad Abdul three for 80 and Basir Lokhat two for 58.

Also in winners’ row were Victoria Park Cricket Club who trounced Ambassadors by a whopping 213 at Ashtonbee Number Two ground.

Taking first strike, Victoria Park reached a formidable 394 all out in their allotted 50 overs with opener Krunal Patel leading the way with a swashbuckling 177 while Yug Rao and Arjoon Sood supported with 69 and 54 respectively. Ryan Ramnarine was Ambassadors’ best bowler with four for 65 from eight overs.

Ambassadors were rolled over for 181 in 40.1 overs with Ryan Lall resisting with a fine 74. Vishnu Pothugunta bagged four for 14 from 6.1 overs and Meet Shah three for 19 from six.

The other two teams in the eight-team tournament – Superstars/Islanders and Armor – were not in action on the opening day. The Elite League continues this weekend.