Riddim Squad ends Vengy unbeaten run

...West Dem yet to start

THE unbeaten run of Vengy FC ended last Sunday(30th July) when the Senior Men's League(SML) of the Georgetown FA continued at the National Training Facility, Providence, East Bank Demerara. Coming up against Riddim Squad, another side yet to lose in the nine-team League competition, proved to be Vengy's biggest test as they lost for the first time. The game's solitary and decisive strike came in the 28th minute, compliments of Lester Alleyne. The three points pushed Riddim Squad to eight points from four games and second position, one point less than leaders Beacons who have a game in hand. Vengy remain on seven points, but drop to third in the points table.

Satya Nadella, the chairman and chief executive of Microsoft and co-owner of the Seattle Orcas, bowled the ceremonial first ball before the final at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was on hand to award the trophy, while Nita Ambani, co-owner of the Mumbai Indians, celebrated with New York's players and posed for selfies with some of the 8,000 fans in attendance.

In the first game of the double-header, GFC and Black Pearl played to a 1-all draw. Peter Smith broke the deadlock in the 14th minute to give Black Pearl the initiative. The 'Bouda Blue's drew level in the 70th minute thanks to Rondell Sobers. The one point earned left GFC in fourth place on six points from four games, while Black Pearl moved to four points in sixth position.

tournament.

"The quality has been exceptional," said Australia-born Gannon.

"Having overseas players and playing this tournament has been so much fun. I think it is going to be fantastic for USA cricket moving forward."

Nicholas Pooran and Trent Boult were key performers for MI New York throughout the tournament

'US can host cricket of highest calibre'

After several false dawns, cricket finally looks well placed to establish itself in the United States, spearheaded by its flagship T20 franchise tournament.

Attendances at the two venues have encouraged organisers, with curious American sports fans drawn to the tournament in addition to vast swathes of the South Asian diaspora.

MLC's efforts to gain prominence in the US have also been boosted by some influential names.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi even mentioned cricket's growth in the US at a state dinner attended by President Joe Biden at the White House recently.

"The US has emphatically shown the rest of the cricket world that it is capable of successfully hosting cricket of the highest calibre," MLC co-founder Vijay Srinivasan told BBC Sport after the final.

"To hear from the fans and the players who came to MLC this season on how much it exceeded their expectations, and more importantly, that they can't wait to be back next season is both humbling and energising at once.

On the West Side, the unplayable state of the Tuschen Community Centre ground for a second successive weekend forced another postponement of the opening of the West Demerara FA's Senior Men's League. The Interim Competitions Committee is hopeful the conditions will improve when another attempt is made to kick off the 2023 season this coming weekend.

"I can't think of another sport that has come out of the gates like MLC has in the US - practically all matches sold out in both venues, amazing atmospheres and fans actually building allegiances to their home teams, even though we are playing in just two venues.

"We are going to build on this incredible launch season to come back even better in 2024."

MLC's founders have already indicated their desire to lure England's best players to the tournament in the future. Even though it clashes with the English summer it could prove hard to resist.