Wanderers wins Garden State T20 title

openingbat — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 13:02:00 GMT

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After missing out on the Garden State Cricket League 40 overs crown earlier this season, Wanderers Sports made amends when they captured the 2011 Division 1 T20 title. On a day when both semis and final were played back to back, Wanderers engaged Sayreville Gladiators In their semi-final at Eastside Park in Paterson, where Wanderers lost the toss and were asked to take first strike by Gladiators skipper Sri Garimella. At 29 for 3, Wanderers found themselves struggling to stay alive, but a 45-run partnership between Jason Nelson (36) and Chris Vassel (9), gave some life to the innings. The innings was capped off by another 43-run partnership between 17-year-old Rishi Patel and Nelson, who finished on 56, to give some respectability to the Wanderers total. For Gladiators, Rushi Amin finished with 2 wickets for 30 runs.

Chasing a modest 125 for victory and a ticket to the final, Gladiators lost wickets at regular intervals due to some penetrative bowling from captain Damion Morgan, who took 2 for 15, Carl Wright with 2 for 26 and Damaine Sangster's 3 for 6. Gladiators were eventually bowled out for 94 in 18.1 overs.

In the final against arch rival Eclipse Cricket Club, who had defeated G.W.I.A. in the other semi-final, Morgan won the toss and decided to take first strike. The game was reduced to 17 overs due to the late start and former USA representative Carl Wright was quickly into his stride, blazing his way to 56. Along with Chris Vassel's 18 and Jason Nelson's 14 not out, Wanderers posted a respectable 123. Needing 124 for victory, Eclipse were immediately rocked by a double strike from skipper Morgan in his very first over when he removed Eugene Hudson and Craig Oliver without scoring. A quick cameo from Ketan Patel and a quick fire 30 from Bryan Murphy did little to help the Eclipse cause, as they finished on 103. Morgan captured 3 for 8 and Sangster 3 for 34.

Note: Both the Semi-Finals and Final were played the same day.

Semi-final 1: G.W.I.A. vs. Eclipse (Game reduced to 12 overs per side)

Eclipse 110 for 7 off 12 0vers - Craig Oliver 56, Neil McGarrell 2 for 15.
G.W.I.A. 108 for 6 from 12 overs - Joseph Hartley 38, Sean Stanislaus 28.

Semi-final 2: Wanderers Sports Club vs. Sayreville Gladiators

Wanderers Sports Club 124 for 8 from 20 overs - Jason Nelson 54, Rushi Amin 2 for 30
Gladiators 94 all out from 18.1 overs - Anand Churi 29, Damion Morgan 2 for 15 and D Sangster 3 for 6.

Final: Wanderers Sports Club vs. Eclipse (Game reduced to 17 overs per side)

Wanderers Sports Club 123 for 4 in 17 overs; Carl Wright 56, Chris Vassel 18, Ketan Patel 1 for 15.
Eclipse 103 all out in 17 overs; Bryan Murphy 30, Ketan Patel 18, Damion Morgan 3 for 8, Damaine Sangster 3 for 34.

Wanderers Sports Club Emerged as Champions of the GSCL 2011 T20 Tournament.

USA Cricketer : Carl Wright, Rushi Amin, Eclipse

Wanderers wins Garden State T20 title