STORY & PHOTOS COURTESY IVY MAHABHIR
A long standing rivalry continues as the Bermuda All Stars, who have not won a cup match since 2018, took on the New Jersey All Stars in this the 42nd year of their annual Cricket Cup Match at Watsessing Park in Bloomfield.
The Honorable Mayor of East Orange Ted Green graced the game with his presence and threw the first pitch to begin the match. The NJ All Stars won the toss and elected to bat first.
Bermuda’s Kyle Hodsoll was very impressive with his consistent line and length in his first over. The 2nd over of the match he got opening batter Sean Stanislaus with a trapped leg before wicket for zero runs and Ita Sterling bowled for zero runs with the NJ All Stars 4 runs for 2 wickets.
In his next over, opener David Forbes was caught for 5 runs with the NJ All Stars in deep trouble: 8 runs for 3 wickets. Amit Seenarine and Captain Reyaz Karim put on 37 runs for the 4th before Amit got bowled by Hurdle for 20 runs.
David Walton did not last; the first ball duck bowled by Trott. The score now 48 runs for 5 wickets, Sheldon Burgarsingh joined his Captain Reyaz and they added 12 runs before Sheldon got caught for 6 runs with the score on 60 runs for 6 wickets.
Eugene Knights joined his captain and took the score to 96 runs before Captain Reyaz opened his bat too much leaving a big gap between the bat and pad and was clean bowled by Hodsoll for a well played 30 runs, giving Hodsoll his 4th wicket with the score 96 for 7 wickets, Hodsell got Shakur’s leg before wicket to claim his 5th wicket of the inning.
With a fighting knock from Knights 22 runs and courage from Gavin Jackson’s 21 not out took NJ All Stars to a score of 133 all out in 29.4 overs. Kyle Hodsoll finished with an impressive bowling spell of 6-0-23-5 with supporting bowling from Hasan Durham 6-0-39-2 and Kevin Hurdle and Rodney Trott each getting 1 wicket.
This seemed like a small total for Bermuda All Stars to get. The opening batters Malachi Jones and Curtis Jackson begin the chase for Bermuda. With the score on 12 Malachi Jones was bowled by Abdul Shakur. With the score on 2,3 Bermuda lost 2 quick wickets, that of Gerald Simons for 4 runs and Curtis Jackson for no runs.
Rodney Trott and Lionel Cann came to the crease and took the score to 77 runs before Trott got trapped, leg before wicket to Eugene for 10 runs with the score 92/5.
Lionel continued to dominate the batting for his team, scoring a brilliant 40 runs with 2(6) and 1(4) making his score the highest in the match before getting out leg before wicket to Eugene, score 109/76. Captain Ricky Hill joined Kevin Hurdle and took the score to 119 before the Captain Hill was unfortunately run out for a well-played 16 runs.
Hurdle showed some resistance before he was cleaned bowled by Gavin Jackson for a well played 14 runs, then came a diving catch by captain Reyaz to dismiss Tucker 120/9.
This saw the Bermuda team’s hopes of victory slim with 13 runs and 1 wicket in hand from 3 overs. In the end, Bermuda lost by 6 runs in a thrilling victory by the New Jersey All Stars.
The match presentation saw trophies and awards given to both teams: New Jersey All Stars Winner of Cup Match 2025, MVP Eugene Knights 6-1-15-2 and 22 runs, best batter NJ All Stars Captain Reyaz Karim 30 runs and Best Fielder a diving catch, Best wicket Keeper Sheldon Burgasingh 2 catches and 1 run out, Abdul Shakur got the bowling award with 6-0-16-2.
Bermuda All Stars Runner up, Kyle Hodsoll MVP and Best bowler 6-0-23-5, Best batsman Lionel Cann 40runs, Best partnership Lionel Cann and Rodney Trott 55 runs.
Looking forward to next year, as these two teams continue their battle on the cricket field.
