BCB Arjune Nandu Grassroots Cup: Ramnauth leads Port Mourant past Tain UG Elites to lift championship

The Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMCC) has produced a total of seven test cricketers, and has a rich history in Berbice. The Club is currently working to regain lost glory, after years of struggling on the cricket field. At the weekend, PMCC received a major boost when it defeated the Tain University of Guyana Elites Cricket Team by four wickets to lift the Berbice Cricket Board/Arjune Nandu Grassroots Title.
Four teams – Port Mourant, UG Elites, Whim and Tain Block Four – participated in the one-day tournament played at the historic Port Mourant Ground. Playing in front of a large and colourful crowd, UG Elites scored 128 for 9 from their allotted 15 overs in the finals. Top scoring for the UG team was Dharmesh Seenarine with 48, and he received support from Naeem Khan’s 29 and Abdul Ramsammy’s 15.
Bowling for Port Mourant, Parsram Tilkaram claimed 2 wickets for 33 runs from 3 overs, Joshua Ramsammy 2 for 12, and Madhan Budram 3 for 21.
Requiring to score 129 from 90 balls in order to lift the title, the home team squeezed home with West Indies youth player Rampertab Ramnauth hitting a classy 66. He was supported by Joshua Ramsammy with 16 and Andy Mohan with 14.
The UG Elites, seeking their first BCB title, fought to the very end before PMCC skipper Raju Singh hit the fifth ball of the final over for two runs, to the celebration of his fellow teammates and supporters.
Abdul Ramsammy, with 2 for 27, and Zeynul Ramsammy, with 2 for 32, were the successful bowlers for UG. Rampertab Ramnauth was named Man of the Finals for his brutal knock of 66, which included six boundaries and two huge sixes.
Earlier in the day, PMCC defeated Tain Block Four by 86 runs. Batting first, they amassed 130 for 1, with Ramnauth hitting 55 not out. And while Joshua Ramsammy retired hurt on a well-played 65, Tain Block Four in reply were bowled out for 44 in 8 overs, with Samuel Kistasammy top scoring with 22. Salim Khan’s 3 for 12, Madan Budram’s 3 for 9, and George Hughes were the best bowlers for PMCC bowlers.
In the other semifinals, UG Elites, led by a majestic 92 not out from National Under 19 Vice-Captain Jonathan Rampersaud, amassed 126 for 2 versus Whim off 10 overs. Yogendra Harrinarine’s 2 for 16 was Whim’s best bowler as Rampersaud torn into their bowling attack. Whim, in return, were restricted to 91 for 8 from their allotted ten overs.
Harrinarine returned with the bat to score 32, while K. Mottin supported with 16.
BCB President Foster hailed the one-day tournament as another successful one for the board. He explained that the main aims of the grassroots tournaments are to give village clubs opportunity to win a BCB tournament, in order to rekindle the passion for the game and to bring fans back to grounds once again.
This year, the BCB would host a total of three such events at Chesney, Port Mourant and No 19 Kendall
Union. Foster explained that his administration in 2023 would be hosting junior inter club and school tournaments for the first half of the year, while the second half of the year won see the hosting of tournaments for females, and for second division and first division teams.
He also outlined a long list of developmental projects, including the annual Berbice Cricket Academy, Coaching Programme, assistance to clubs, coaching manual, the distribution of batting cage and bowling machine, among others. Foster expressed thanks to Arjune Nandu, a former national player, for his support of the tournament.
The winning team, runner up and Man of the Finals received trophies and cash prizes.