Island Community v Sky

Sky 182 - 5 off 16 overs
Aleem Hussain 53 retired
Imran Khan 36
Rizwan Siddiqui 34

Island Community 144 for 3 off 16 overs
Tanjeem 51* (ret)
Mo 30*
Imran Khan 4-0-29-2

5-star Sky triumphant in title decider - By Sky's Rizwan Siddiqui

Following the triumphs of '98,'01,'02 and '03, Sky became 5-times winners of the Victoria Park league by beating a highly talented but inexperienced Island Community in both team's final league match which given previous results was effectively the title play off.

On a glorious summer's day, Island's skipper Mo having won the toss somewhat surprisingly inserted Sky in on Pitch 1. Sky's openers started cautiously but the ever reliable Aleem, ably supported by Sarfraz soon located the boundary and by the end of the 10th over, Sky had reached 106 for the loss of 2 wickets. Cue Sky's big hitting middle order duo of Rizwan and Imran who having launched a succession of sixes ensured a final total of 182.

Faced with a daunting target, Island had no choice but to start aggressively but Sky having stationed men on the boundary soon picked off the top order and despite Tanjim's best efforts Island never looked like threatening to overhaul Sky's score.

All that remains is for me (Rizwan Siddiqui) to thank my team for their effort, perserverance and determination throughout the season which resulted in a title triumph that was well deserved. So well done to Aleem Hussain, Safraz Ahmed, Javed Soomro, Imran Khan, Nozmul Hussain, Jahinger Ahmed, Ayaz, Shakeel Durrani and Hassan Mahmood for making this a season to remember. 'Boys did well'!

Island's account - by Island's Steve Hill

Island won the toss and put Sky into bat. Their early optimism, after Jack Stollery conceded just two runs from his first over, was very short lived indeed. By the end of the 6th over, Sky were already on 62 without loss, with Safraz and Alim both scoring boundaries freely.

A change of bowling saw Delrick take a catch behind from Dammika's first ball, to dismiss Safraz for 23, and conceeding just two off the over, Island hoped the run fest might be stalling.

But how wrong they were. Shakeel, Imran Khan, Javed and Rizwan all came and went as wickets continued to fall, but not without each of them first adding significantly to the score.

Sky's big hitters seem to like the short boundary of pitch #1 in Victoria Park and were taking full advantage. Alim reached his half century with a huge six and had to retire not out on 53, which proved to be the highest score of the match.

When Sky's captain Rizwan fell for 32, caught in the deep by Jack off the first ball of the last over after a brief innings that included three sixes (matched by Alim and Imran in an innings total that included 9 sixes and 17 fours, 122 boundary runs), even the tail enders chipped in with another 14 runs off the last 5 deliveries to post a huge total of 182 for 6 off their 16 overs (nearly 11.5 runs per over).

All four of Island's young bowlers (three of whom were U18's Colts) went for over ten runs per over, with Tanjeem taking three for 51 off his 24 balls.

With such a large target to reach and the league title at stake for both teams, captain Mo decided to drop himself down the batting order and open with the bigger hitters.

Delrick launched his first delivery for a massive six and Island's spirits were raised, but when he tried it again at the end of the second over, he skied one and was caught in the deep by Ayaz off Rizwan's first over for 11. Big-hitting Robert came in at number three and scored three quick boundary fours before he also skied one and was caught and bowled by Imran Khan for 17.

Meanwhile, Tanjeem was batting sensibly, scoring one's or two's from almost every ball he faced, but Island were gradually falling behind the run rate. When Alamin fell for 6 after a superb catch by Alim, diving foward in the deep, Island had edged themselves up to 61 for 3 at the half way point.

Talented young opener Tanjeem decided it was time to open up somemore and scored his 3 sixes (the 4th player of the game to do so) and 5 fours before having to retire not out on 51. Dammika joined Mo at the crease and they batted out to the end with some impressive stroke play but never looked like catching up with Sky's huge total.

Mo finished with a credible 30 not out but it was Sky, with a comfortable 38 run victory, who took the plaudits and the VPCCL First Division trophy, which was presented to them after the game by League President Bert Vandermark.

The game was played in the typical good spirits of the Victoria Park Community League and Island's youngsters conceded graciously that the best team on the day had indeed won and deserved the title.

Report submitted by: Sky and Island