SER Tournament - Day 3: Georgia Supreme Cricket League Reigns Supreme! Beats South Florida in thriller.

By Conroy Reid

The final day of the South East Regional Tournament produced the most thrilling match, and, at the end, the Georgia Supreme Cricket League (www.gascl.org) was crowned champion.

Scores: Georgia Supreme Cricket League 241 for 8 off 50 overs - Garrick 56, R. Hoilett 39, T Surujbally 3 for 27; SFCA 207 all out - Mayar 60, Pierce 37, Wong 3 for 50, Hooper 3 for 52.

On the warmest day of the week-end spectators flocked to the park to witness Georgia Supreme take on South Florida in a championship game packed with hype as newcomer Georgia and its star studded lineup faced the big guns from the South. Much anxiety and concern surrounded the start of the game when the teams request for the game be moved from the smallest of the three playing fields, to one more accommodating of a championship game, was rejected by the organizers. But such are the fallacies of some US cricket management committees, and the game was played. Georgia Supreme won the toss and elected to bat.

D. Hoilett, in his first stint at opening the inning, hung his bat at one that came back into him and soon it was 20 for 1. Florida then missed a golden opportunity when Garrick, batting at number three, flashed at one outside the off stump and was dropped at gully, before he had scored.

Lindo and Garrick then batted aggressively but carefully and saw the score reached 101 for one at the first break - 15 overs. The introduction of Surujbally and Nayaik into the attack after the drinks triggered a major turn of events in South Florida's favor. Surujbally removed Garrett, Lindo, and Murray in quick succession forcing Georgia into survival mode.

Only 32 runs were scored off the next 15 overs! After the second intermission, Hoilett opened up, and two towering sixes over extra cover brought cheers from the highly partisan Georgia crowd and the stranglehold was lifted, but not for long. Edmonson and Hoilett soon fell, followed by Harris. The depth of the Georgia batting order then became evident, as Hooper and Hutson batted through ten overs in an eight wicket partnership of 65 before Hutson was out last ball of the inning, and Georgia closed at 241 for 8. Surujbally had the fine figures of 10 - 1 - 27 - 3.

Smiles crossed the faces of the South Florida's batsmen when they started their reply. Having fully surveyed the field and facing the seemingly small target, they were off to the races at a blistering 7 runs per over, scoring 70 for 1 off 10. Joey Pierce (37) and young Steven Taylor (25) took aim at the short boundaries off Wong and Hooper, but their cavalier knocks ended quickly.

However, the SFCA captain and vice-captain (Nayaik and Nayar) teamed in a couple of vibrant partnerships that took them in sight of victory (200 for 6) and quieted the now large throng of Georgia Supreme supporters. They were willing to let Slocombe have his spell by playing him cautiously and seeing him off. Thirty seven were needed off 13 overs. A lengthy stoppage took place to rectify the interpretation of some power plays rules, and this seemed to unnerved the South Floridians.

An uncharacteristic - rather atrocious - swipe across the line of a short pitched delivery from Hutson led to Nayar's downfall - caught behind for a well played 60 - and all hopes for of a Florida victory went with it. Hooper returned to claim two more wickets in his final over, and Garrett, with his first and only delivery off the tournament, induced an edge to first slip where Slocombe took the catch high above his head. Swarm, high fives, and celebration! Georgia Supreme won by 34 runs. Hooper was voted game MVP for his fine all-round performance.

It was a satisfying victory for the Georgia Supreme, having just two months ago won an appeal to USACA Board of Directors for membership - after being denied twice by the SER administration. The cricketing prowess this league displayed can only add to the growth of the game in the region and the US as a whole.