Sunday, March 14 2010

LYDIA ALI hit a stroke-filled half-century on Tuesday to guide Manzanilla Secondary into the final of the North East Zone Girls Twenty20 League with a massive 147-run victory over Guaico Secondary School at the Manzanilla Community Grounds.

The match was reduced to 15 overs per side as the Guaico team reached over an hour late.

Batting first, Manzanilla’s Chian Sampson and Megan Ramnarine put on a solid opening stand of 32 before Megan was caught out off the bowling of Jernesse August.

“Manzan” captain Shivon Morales entered the crease but lost her partner Sampson who was bowled by Adrea Vialva. The in-form Ali came to the crease but Manzanilla suffered another blow as their captain was tragically run out for five to leave the team 48 for three and in danger of wasting their good start.

Kanesha Lezama came in to bat but fell for just six, caught off the bowling of Shannon Murray.

Ali found an able partner in Arielle Gomez and the pair soon began to assert themselves. Ali’s sensational form continued as she began to hit boundary after boundary.

She brought up her half-century in style, smashing a towering six as Manzanilla looked to be on course for a mammoth total. When Gomez was dismissed, caught out off the bowling of Jossanne Gonzales for 22, Manzanilla stood at 123 for 5.

Ormella Barasette was next in to bat, and quickly continued where her partner left off, finishing unbeaten on 21 while Ali was not out on 75 with the Manzanilla score on 185 for five after 15 overs.

Chasing, 185 for victory from 90 balls was always a tall order for Guaico and the difficulty was compounded as they came one player short. Arielle Gomez was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets while Lydia Ali and Hazel-Ann Williams had two each as Guaico were bundled out for 38 runs in six overs.

Manzanilla High School will play Coryal High School for the title on March 22.

A victory would be the perfect fairy tale ending for Manzanilla who are competing in the competition for the very first time.

The team faced several challenges but have overcome them to advance to the title match.

The team train in the school’s auditorium which is allowed by the Principal and Vice-Principal Arjoon Ramlal and Donna- Marie Betrand.

Lutchman is asking any person or company interested in supporting the team through the upgrade of a playground for the school to do so or to help further the development of the young promising cricketers in some other way.