VILLAGE Ram Masters, for the first time after 22 attempts, captured the New York Masters Cricket Association (NYMCA) over-45 title, defeating 13-time champion, Bronx Crusaders Masters, by seven wickets.
The match was played on Saturday, August 29 at the Roy Sweeney Oval, Brooklyn, New York. The tournament was played on a round-robin basis with nine teams participating with the top four contesting the semi-finals, prior to the grand finale.
The defending champions won the toss and took first strike. They were bowled out for 142 in 26.4 overs off their allotment of 35. Roderick Ricketts top scored with 51 and got support from Prassanna Ramaswamy with 30. Bowling for Village Rams Masters, off-spinner Ballister McLeish took four for 30 and George Adams three for 29.
In reply, Village Rams raced to 143 for three off 23.1 overs with Bartley leading the way with 58 not out. He got support from Ainsley Edwards with 27 and former West Indies ‘B’ all-rounder, Derrick Kallicharran with a smart and well-constructed 21, to take his team close to victory and dethroning the champions.
Steve Massiah, former Guyana youth player and USA senior team captain, was part of the Bronx Crusaders Masters.