Dhaniram (104 not out), Gobin star on opening day in Over-50 category

SEVERAL outstanding performances were recorded in the Over-50 category when the 18th edition of the New York Softball Cricket League (NSCL) Independence Cup commenced at Seaview Park, Canarsie, Brooklyn on Friday.
With defending champions Regal Legends racking up two wins in emphatic fashion and Toronto Blizzards looking likely to qualify from the same group for Saturday’s semi-finals, the other group is interestingly poised with the possibility of three teams ending on two wins each.

Two former National players, one senior and the other Under-19, made hay while the sun shone with outstanding knocks – Sunil Dhaniram blasting a boundary-studded unbeaten 104 and Troy Gobin narrowly missing a ton, ending on an unbeaten 97 in the second game after spanking 81 in the first.
Laurie “Tony” Singh, considered a mystery bowler in the softball arena, ended the day with nine wickets after picking up five scalps in the opening game and four in the next as his team Regal Legends won from Toronto Blizzards and NYSCL 2 respectively.

The Regal Legends versus Toronto Blizzards clash promised much but the Canadians were befuddled by the wiles of Singh and were reduced to 129 for seven in their allotted 20 overs with Singh bagging five for 36.
Regal Legends were cruising at 57 without loss after four overs with Uniss Yusuf unbeaten on 39 (three fours, three sixes) when the game ended abruptly. The Guyanese unit objected to Ramo Malone’s attire, wearing of a white pants, which was distinct from his other teammates. They reasoned that it was a distraction to the batters since the ball was also white.

After a delay, and with Toronto Blizzards unwilling to continue, the game was awarded to Regal Legends,
Regal Legends then made light work of NYSCL 2, bowling out their opponents for a paltry 103 in 19,3 overs with Singh again being the main destroyer with four 26 while Troy Kippins ended with two for eight.
Regal Legends rushed to victory in 10.1 overs, losing two wickets in the process, with Yusuf again among the runs with 59 (seven fours, four sixes).

After failing to get going in the first game, Dhaniram unleashed a savage attack on the Trophy Stall bowlers, blasting seven fours and eight sixes in 104 and along with Shiv Seeram, who was unbeaten on 63 ((four fours and four sixes), ensured Toronto Blizzards registered a 10-wicket victory, ending on 186 without loss in pursuit of 184 for nine. Fazil Rasool had earlier claimed four for 18 for the winners. The victory also kept their semi-final hopes alive.

Trophy Stall had earlier won their first game against NYSL 2, defeating their opponents by five wickets, reaching 192 for five in 19.4 overs in reply to NYSCL 189 for nine in 20 overs. F. Yakub led the way for the winners with an attractive 77 (seven fours and five sixes).
After a fine 81 in the first game versus Orlando, which was in vain, Gobin continued his rich vein of form with an unbeaten 97 against Williamsburg as his team Seaview Masters bounced back to win the second game by 19 runs, His second knock contained eight fours and four sixes while Ian “Russian” Baldeo supported with 42.
NYSCL 1 also won their two matches with victories over Seaview Masters and Orlando and a big clash was anticipated when they faced off with Seaview Masters on Saturday morning as the semi-finals race in that group was interestingly poised. (Frederick Halley).