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GSCL wins 2012 SER Tournament
Wade’s majestic 145 n.o leads rout over Central Florida, and gets GSCL the title
A huge, powerful century by big hitting left-hander and vice-captain, Kennard Wade, spearheaded
Georgia Supreme’s (GSCL) drive to their second South East Regional title in four years, as they exhibited
total dominance over their Florida rivals by going 3-0 in this year’s tournament. Wade, a man of large
stature, stood tall, and with a Chris Gayle like languid impression, strolled his singles but launched
massive sixes (ten, all told) to every corner of the broad expanse of McNair field. In between the
rockets were cover drives and square cuts that zipped, unobstructed, to the boundary eight times with
the utmost of ease. Gayle himself would have been impressed. The cameo inning – only ton of the nine
game tournament - vaulted GSCL to a tournament high score of 338 for 8 off the allotted fifty overs.
Central Folrida (CFCA) seemed to have faltered under this assault, and their run chase had no zest as
they fell for 95.
The three-day tournament got underway last Friday. The weather conditions in Atlanta was perfect for
cricket, and the tournament bowled off with all six regional leagues participating, including newcomer
Triangle Cricket League (TCL). USACA’s General Manager, Manaf Mohammed , and the full SER Board of
Directors, including all six presidents, were in attendance.
The region’s Northern teams- AGGC, Triangle, and GSCL- dominated the first two days, each winning
both of their games with impressive performances over their Southern (Florida) opponents. Defending
champions, AGCC, had a close one with South Florida (SFCA) on Friday winning by two wickets, then
routing Central Florida (CFCA) on Saturday. CFCA lost a wicket in the first over and never recovered, and
at one stage were 29 for 9, before their agony finally ended at 60, a small task for AGCC who cantered
home by 10 wickets. Traditional powerhouse, GSCL was true-to-form, crushing Florida Southeast (FSCL)
by 150 runs on Friday, before exhibiting a most dazzling and exhilarating batting display in an unbroken
130 runs fifth wicket partnership between Givance (55 n.o) and Parchment (65 n.o) in cruising pass SFCA
by six wickets on Saturday. The darling of the tournament and most pleasant surprise was the youthful
Triangle team. On Friday they logged the day’s highest innings score of 271 in defeating Central Florida
by 32 runs, and on Saturday they dismissed FSCL for a paltry 70, and won by 10 wickets.
There was much fervor surrounding the final round on Sunday. All three 2-0 teams had played well so
far, and had a shot at the title. AGCC, by virtue of the big win over CFCA, was in the driver’s seat, and
now faced FSCL , a team saddled with two embarrassing losses – scoring under eighty runs in each of
their two inning. TCL, the young guns from North Carolina, had the most daunting task of upending the
formidable SFCA seniors, while GSCL chances rested with having an outstanding performance against
CFCA. The teams from the South had respect and spoiler roles to play for.
On McNair 2, SFCA batted first, and after a shaky start racked up an impressive 288, their high score of
the week-end. Seventeen year old Shaquille Forbes top scored with 75. TCL responded gallantly but the
youths eventually wilted under the experienced SFCA stifling pace attack to lose by over 100 runs.
A game that fully confirmed the uncertainty of cricket was played at Burdette Park. FSCL batted first
and quickly found themselves in a dismal position where they had to be wondering if this tournament
was worth the trip. But a great late recovery led them to 178. AGCC motored to 90 for two, and with
victory in their sight, a repeat championship seemed inevitable. However, a major collapse ensued and
they fell short by 40 runs. FSCL restored some respectability with a successful spoiler role.
Central Florida won the toss at McNair 1, and opted to bowl first. The highly partisan GSCL crowd was
stunned into silence immediately as both openers fell, soon to be followed by Parchment, one of
Saturday’s hero. Givance (41) and Morgan (37) then staged a slow recovery before both fell LBW to
Jacobs, and at 83 for 5 off 22 overs GSCL’s title hopes seemed to be fading while CFSA fielders swarmed
for the kill. Not to be. After a slow start, Wade began to flex his muscles, and the fielders backed off …
farther and farther ‘till they lined the boundary; only a batting power play pulled some back. Now the
crowd was in a chant. Over 250 runs were scored off the next 28 overs for the loss of 3 more wickets!
The effect of the onslaught really showed in the demeanor of the CFCA players now faced with the
imposing total. In their run chase they quickly succumbed to Dyer - 2 for 15, Francois – 2 for 5, and
Taylor 2 for 9; A. Sudan top scored with 21.
Top performers for the tournament were: MVP – Japen Patel of AGCC (second year in a row); Most
runs – Kennard Wade of GSCL; Most wickets - Shankar Jagadeesan of TCL; Youth Player - Shaquille
Forbes of SFCA; AGCC finished in 2nd place.
Pic above:SER Champions GSCL: Seated –left to right: Andre Hooper, Evroy Dyer, Ishmael Parchment, Kennard Wade – Vice Captain, Al
Givance – Captain, Leon Garrick, Mark Mumby. Standing-left to right: Glen Atkins – Statistician, Antonio Duare – PRO, Mark
Baker – Manager, Jeremy Francois, Jemal Morgan, Alton Taylor, Basil Williams, Kweise Edmondson, Dean Morgan, Winfred
Brome – President, Junior Williams – Coach. GSCL
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