BCB/UCCA/Price is Right 20/20 tournament: #72 topple Dukestown Warriors to bag $400,000 cash prize

The beautiful #69 Vikings Cricket Ground was transformed into a hive of activity last Sunday when the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) hosted the finals of the Price is Right 20/20 tournament.
The largest crowd to attend a BCB finals in over a decade turned up at the venue to see #72 Cut and Load defeat Dukestown Warriors by four wickets and emerge champions of the tournament, which commenced two years ago and attracted a sponsorship of Gy$3M+ from management and staff of the Price is Right Supermarket of Skeldon.
Before thousands of spectators, and in perfect cricket weather, Dukestown won the toss and elected to take first strike. They lost Clarence Beresford with the score at 8 for 1, when he was caught off the bowling of D. Jaggernauth for 4.

Jaggernauth also dismissed Kevin Clarke (1) and Budhram Sukhdeo (4) to leave Dukestown struggling at 14 for 3 in the 5th over. They struggled to 47 for 6 with the departure of Jermaine Reid (5), Clavern Besford (7) and Jamal Byass (6), but a crucial 7h stand of 36 between Errol Byass (17) and Akeem Bawlin (27) enable them to reach 92 all out from 18 overs.
Bowling for #72 Cut and Load, Davendra Jaggernauth returned figures of 4-1-10-3; Mukesh Edwards returned figures of 4-0-23-4; and Davannand Chatterpal returned figures of 4-0-16-2.
Needing to score 93 from 20 overs, Cut and Load lost they best batsman Deoprakash Ramdat by the LBW route to Jermaine Reid for naught.
With the score at 2 for 1 in the first over, a 44-run second-wicket partnership between Jameel Assad and Ramesh Omapersaud took them to 46 for 2, before Kevin Clarke dismissed Assad for a patient 12.
Solid batting from Omarpersaud (35) and Vijay Persaud (17 n.o) saw #72 Cut and Load to victory. The other batsmen dismissed were Seiraj Chatterpaul (7), Devananand Chatterpaul (2) and Kadeer Ajib (7).
Best bowler for the runner-up team was Errol Byass with 2 for 17 from four overs.
Jermaine Reid, Budram Sukdeo and Wayne Garnette each took a wicket, for 12, 13 and 15 respectively.
The final was well organized by the UCCA, as dozens of law enforcement officers were present to control the large crowd, while the popular Crown Vybez music set entertained the crowd. Live cricket commentary was also provided by popular cricket commentators Anthony Kemraj and Linden Murray.
The winning team took home $400,000 and the winner’s trophy, while the runner-up took home $200,000 and a trophy. The two losing semifinalists each got $50,000, and “man of the finals”, Davendra Juggernauth, was rewarded with $100,000. Other prizes given to the worthies included cricket gear and bowling boots.
BCB President Hilbert Foster congratulated the UCCA for organizing a highly successful tournament, and expressed his pleasure at the massive support received from the fans. He committed his administration to hosting more finals at the venue once the dressing rooms and sanitary facilities are improved.
Well known Guyanese Neurosurgeon and brain surgeon Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi, on hearing Foster’s commitment, immediately promised to donate half a million dollars to the setting up of proper sanitary facilities. UCCA President Dennis D’Andrade expressed thanks to the sponsor for the largest ever cash prize purse in the area, and noted that the sponsorship included uniforms for all 32 teams in the area.