By Mr. LeRoy Pierre, Coordinator, Sports and Physical Education Department (SPED)
Cricket, lovely cricket!
The USC Recreation Ground transformed into a lively GABA when the 3rd Annual Masters T10 Cricket Tournament bowled off on Thursday, November 28, 2024. A small but enthusiastic group of supporters gathered to cheer on the President’s XI Over-40 Men’s Cricket Team to victory. Captained by Floyd Coppin, the President’s men faced off against the First Timers and Friends Over-40 Cricket Team for the third consecutive year, competing for the coveted Dr. Colwick M. Wilson Challenge Trophy.
In 2022, when the game was first held, the President’s XI claimed the Trophy. In 2023, however, First Timers and Friends wrestled the Cup away from a determined President’s XI. This year, the President’s XI came prepared to reclaim victory at home, playing under the floodlights at the USC Recreation Ground for the first time.
Winning the toss, USC opted to send First Timers and Friends to bat first. Unfortunately for them, they struggled against the formidable President’s XI bowling attack, collapsing for a modest 45 runs within the allotted overs.
When the President’s XI took their turn at the crease, opening batsmen Trevor Rajkumar and Dexter Ramdanny dispatched the opposition’s bowlers with ease, hitting boundaries to all parts of the field and making the run chase look effortless. The crowd erupted with chants of “Hit the ball! Hit the ball!” With just four runs needed for victory, batsman Trevor Rajkumar retired to give President Wilson a chance to shine at the wicket — and shine he did.
Stepping onto the field, President Wilson was determined to impress his wife, who was cheering him on from the stands. The small but appreciative crowd grew more vocal as Dr. Wilson faced his first delivery and confidently scored a single.
It all came down to one run for victory. Dr. Wilson was on strike. The spectators rose to their feet; his wife clapped gleefully, eager to see her husband hit the winning run. And that he did! The crowd erupted in joy as the President’s XI sealed a dramatic victory. Jubilant celebrations swept across the GABA as the USC President’s XI Over-40 Cricketers reclaimed the Trophy for the second time. Hats off to the men in green — they made USC proud!
The Man of the Match was awarded to Dexter Ramdanny of the President’s XI for his outstanding performance, contributing 22 runs with the bat and taking two crucial wickets.
Special thanks to Carl Solomon for assembling another formidable Over-40 team for yet another exciting year.
