A STAGGERING 38-ball 102 from Sachin Singh, the fastest recorded in the history of the New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) Independence Cup, now in its 18th year, spurred NYSL All Stars to a commanding 165-run victory over Orlando All Stars in the final of the Open category when the tournament climaxed at Baisley Park, 150 Rockaway Boulevard, Queens, New York on Sunday,
Singh’s heroics were also well complimented by a brilliant bowling performance from Sadeeq Kayoon, who captured five for 19 as Orlando All Stars were shut out for a paltry 92 in reply to the massive 277 for five made by NYSCL All Stars in their allotted 20 overs.

The burly left-handed opener showed little mercy for the Orlando All Stars attack from the onset, hitting boundaries at will as he blasted four fours and 11 massive sixes to entertain the Sunday afternoon crowd.

Singh added 162 for the first wicket with R. Bridgelall in a mere 12 overs before he departed, setting the stage for the other batsmen to capitalise and they did so with much gusto.
Bridgelall’s 40 included four fours and a six while V. Surujpaul spanked an entertaining 54, laced with five fours and three sixes as the Oralndo bowers found no answer to the assault. R. Adams took two for 57 and Y. Persaud two for 60 from their respective four overs.

A shell-shocked Orlando All Stars were blown away for 92 in 11.5 overs with only D. Sobhai offering token resistance with 23 (four fours) while extras tallied 20 as Kayoon scythed through the innings with an outstanding display. Sieuchand Budhu, two for two off five deliveries and Bobby Prahalad (two for seven off two overs) added the finishing touches as NYSCL celebrated their second triumph of the day, having already captured the Masters Over-40 category.

The winners collected the championship Eagle and $4 000 (US) while the runners-up received aa trophy. Players and officials from both teams were recipients of medals.

Sachin Singh dominated the individual awards: man-of-the-match, Most Valuable Player (MVP) and for scoring a century in the final. Kayoom was awarded for taking the most wickets; Vickram Ramsundar, the best figures (five for 19) and Teekaram Narine for claiming a hat-trick.

All the MVPs in each category were also recipients of bats, compliments of Rockaway Roti Shop, Queens, New York. (Frederick Halley)