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By Ricardo Inniss

The South Florida Cricket Alliance (SFCA) staged their annual all star cricket match featuring SFCA-1 vs. SFCA-2 on September 26th in honor of Lawrence George Rowe, who on his debut for West Indies against New Zealand, back in 1972, at Sabina Park in his native Jamaica, elegantly stroked a double century and a century, to become the only test player to score hundreds in both innings of a test, on debut.

The match which SFCA-2 won, produced some exciting cricket, with Joey Pierre stealing the spotlight, and was watched by a fairly large crowd of SFCA cricket fans.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, SFCA-1 knocked up 197 all out off 32.5 of the arranged 40 overs. Leading the way, Rytan Brown counted 5 fours and 2 sixes in a quick-fire top score of 41, off only 24 balls. Getting into the action, Skipper Mark Johnson and Steven Taylor, featured in a sixth wicket partnership worth 40 runs, with Johnson smashing 3 sixes in a 39 ball 41, and Taylor 26 including 2 fours, off 28 balls.

SFCA -2 with Lawrence "Yagga" Rowe (sitting, third from right) [Courtesy - Trevor Harris]

Batting at number 8 Keyonie Gayle, hit an enterprising 37 off 41 balls that included 3 sixes and a four. The best bowlers for SFCA-2, were Timothy Surjubally who captured 2 for 26, Jameel Douglas 2 for 59, while Charves Bucknor, Glen Anglin , Andre Forbes and Nicholas Thomas, each picked up a wicket for 17, 18, 30 and 36 respectively.

In a positive and bold reply, SFCA-2 reached 199 for 5 to inflict a decisive 5 wicket victory after 38. 2 overs. The dynamic Joey Pierre, carried his bat for a superb 73, spiced with 6 fours and 2 sixes off 92 balls, ably supported by the buoyant Surjubally, who smacked 4 fours and 3 sixes in a 69 ball 53. The pair shared a 35 run second wicket partnership. Other useful contributions came from, Stephen Lewis and Clarence Salmon with 14 each, and Nigel Lue who remained unbeaten on 11. Lewis and Pierre featured in a third wicket stand worth 63 runs. Bowling for SFCA-1 Ryan Ramnarine, Earl Stephen, Brown, Gaston Walker and Gayle, each took a wicket for 9, 13,19, 27 and 28 respectively. Joey Pierre was named Man-of-the Match. Mark Johnson, Timothy

Surjubally and Ryan Ramnarine also received batting and bowling awards, while members of both teams took home medallions.

After the match, DreamCricket.com spoke with Rowe, familiarly known as “ Yagga” who was the essence of elegance during his career which was cut short by injuries. 

“This match came off quite well, the turn-out was good, and the cricket was of a fairly high standard. But next year we will be looking to improve on things by having Central Florida down here to compete," Rowe said.