Guyana Chronicle article.
TORONTO, Canada – Winning 14 consecutive matches on the trot, albeit two via the walk-over route, is an undeniable feat in any sport.
Such is the achievement of Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) in the 2014 Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) Premier League tournament.
Already with a record four consecutive titles and aiming to complete a helmet trick, HACC accumulated a whopping 159 points to emerge clear winners of Conference ‘B’, their nearest rivals being Deccan Hawks Cricket Club with 85 and Bawa X1 who trailed on 78 points to claim the third spot.
The club’s reign of successes in finals started in 2010 when they defeated Panoli Cricket Club and this was followed by triumphs over East West XI in 2011, Victoria Park in 2012 and Bawa XI in 2013.
Despite HACC’s unbeatable run, their real test and endurance come this Saturday when the predominantly-based Guyanese team will face off with Kokuvil Cricket Club at the Ashtonbee ground here as the SCA playoffs get under way.
HACC president Narchand ‘Archie’ was quietly confident that his charges will once again bring home the bacon but warned against complacency. An excited Mohan, who lauded his team for “their unbelievable run over the last few years†described their performance as fantastic but pointed out that he would be more elated “when the job is completedâ€.
Mohan alluded to the fact that HACC’s performance was more commendable since they missed the services of former West Indies one-day player Royston Crandon and former Guyana fast bowler Trevon Garraway, both of whom played last year, but opted to compete in the Toronto and District League this time around.
While praising the two for their efforts over the years, Mohan felt their absence spurred the other players on to greater heights and the leadership of former Guyana and West Indies youth player Hemnarine Chattergoon was once again exemplary.
So dominant were HACC during the season, they amassed an amazing 618 in their allotted 50 overs against Durham with former Guyana youth player Harrinarine Chattergoon slamming a monumental 268, an individual record, thereby ending with the leading aggregate of 565 runs.
Not to be outdone was the consistent all-rounder Zaheer Allard who ended with 467, which included two centuries. The left-arm seamer also claimed 26 wickets, which included a hat-trick.
Opener Reyaz Prahalad, classified as ‘Mr Dependable’ in the team, tallied 320 runs while former Guyana opener Krishna Arjune, was also in the limelight with 269 from a mere three innings, including a rapid 169 from one.
Another player who excelled was Azhad Amidon with 202 runs, including one hundred while skipper Chattergoon, who wasn’t required to bat frequently, made 168 runs but emerged as the most economical bowler with 17 victims. Left-arm spinner Mahadeo Moonasar (14 wickets) and fast-medium Chidanand Shiwram also chipped in with useful performances. The lineup also included former Guyana wicketkeeper Azib Ali Hanif who has also been performing creditably.
The other Conference ‘B’ encounter brings together Deccan Hawks and Bawa X1 at Lamarouex Park while in Conference ‘A’, Victoria Park oppose East West Cricket Club at Ellesmere Number one, and Highland Creek ‘A’ battle Scarborough Cricket Club/Star CC at Ashtonbee.
In First Division action, Bilal Cricket Club and Tiranga X1 square off at Ellesmere while Toronto Smashers and Islanders United meet at Ashtonbee.
On Sunday, the Second Division teams take to the field and including in the action are SCA Colts, who are fully sponsored by the SCA and whose manager Vish Jadunauth is confident they will upstage their more senior opponents. They will face off with Caribbean Strikers Cricket Club at Ellesemere while Scarborough Cricket Club/Star CC will tangle with Blackhawks Cricket Club at Ashtonbee.
The SCA grand dinner and presentation ceremony is set for Saturday, October 19 at the Seatown Banquet Hall here. At last year’s occasion, HACC took took away the lion’s share of prizes and look set to repeat this time around.
