Defending champs MTS Wanderers were in a strong position against Texaco Police as the All Sport Savannah cricket final began at the Queen's Park Savannah yesterday.
After a shaky start, the champs battled their way to reach 166 for 6 off their allotted 25 overs.
Sent in to bat the Sugar Boys were set back early, losing the wicket of former national cricketer Deonarine Deyal (1) and Jimmy Rampersad (4) with only 24 runs on the board. Rajendra Mangalie then joined Doodnath Mahabir and together the pair took the score to 76 before Mangalie was bowled by Imtiaz Rojan for 21.
Nine runs later the same bowler struck another vital blow when he removed Mahabir for a well-played 42 which included one six and one four. But after this success, the Lawmen produced some very sloppy fielding and dropped a few easy catches as skipper Narine Bideshi and Avidesh Samaroo waded into their attack. Bideshi struck four boundaries and one six in a fine knock of 48 while Samaroo struck two huge sixes and two fours in a brisk cameo of 27.
The two most successful bowlers for Police were Rojan and Grant with 2 for 21 and 2 for 55 respectively.
The match is scheduled to end today when play begins at 2.00 p.m.