BCB Premier 20/20 tournament 2023: Victories for RHT NAMILCO, Albion, Port Mourant and others

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) over the weekend hosted the second round of its Premier 20/20 tournament.
Six matches were played across the county, and victories were recorded by RHT NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour, Albion, Port Mourant, Blairmont, Tucber Park and the President’s XI. The second round saw the return of national players Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith and Gudakesh Motie to Berbice cricket from the CG 50 overs tournament.

The BCB President’s XI team created history with their victory over Rose Hall Canje. The young team, which consists of promising players selected by the selection committee after failing to make their club teams, are playing in their first-ever tournament. Fifties were scored by Rampertab Ramnath, Clinton Pestano, Ari Arizal Kadir, Damion Vantull, Jonathan Foo, Alex Algoo, Shamal Angel and Rishi Persaud. Seon Glasgow claimed the only five-wicket haul for Blairmont in the second round.
Playing at the Number 69 Vikings ground, Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour overcame a spirited Upper Corentyne team to win by five wickets. Batting first, the home team amassed 143 for six from their 20 overs with Rishi Persaud hitting an unbeaten 72 with five huge sixes and four boundaries. He was supported by A Chatterpaul with 23. Junior Sinclair and Clinton Pestano took two wickets apiece for 23 and 19 respectively. Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour in response reached 146 for five in 18.1 overs, with Pestano continuing his impressive form with the bat with a responsible 60 while Junior Sinclair and Kevin Sinclair supported with 23 each. Steve Embrack took two for 31 for Upper Corentyne.

Former national player Jonathan Foo hit an aggressive 75 not out to lead Albion to an 18-run victory over Young Warriors at the Port Mourant Ground. Albion reach 153 for five, with West Indies player Gudakesh Motie scoring 20 and Afraz Budhoo 20 as well, offering support to Foo. In response, Young Warriors raced to 88 without loss in the 11th over before Motie dismissed former national and Under-19 player Alex Algoo for a well-played 53. Ricardo Ramdeholl was the only other batsman to reach double figures as the visitors were eventually restricted to 137 for seven when their 20 overs expired. Gavrav Ramesh took three for 19 and Motie two for 27.
Blairmount defeated Police by seven runs at the Blairmount ground. Batting first, the home team amassed 219 for six in 20 overs, with Nigel Deodat making 49, Javed Karim 36 and Kevan Jawarhir 30. Bowling for Police Barton took 2 for 41 and Mentore 2 for 48. In reply, Police were kept to 132 for 8 when the overs expired. Mentore 23, Harvey 23 not out, and Amsterdam 18 were the main batters. Seon Glasgow took five for 13 from his four overs and legspinner Jawarhir 2 for 13 for Blairmont.

At the Cotton Tree ground, Damion Vantull struck a brutal 50 to lead Tucber Park to a two-wicket victory over West Berbice. The home team reached 143 all out in 20 overs with the talented Shamal Angel (58); Rashad Gaffoor (28) and Shelton Ramsay (27) leading the way. Leon Swammy took four for 27 for Tucber Park, who, in response, reached 144 for eight in 19.4 overs. Vantull struck six huge sixes in his even 50 while Garfield Benjamin scored 30. Leon Andrews was the best bowler for West Berbice with three for 29.
In the second match of the day at Port Mourant, the home team defeated Skeldon by five wickets. Skeldon made 131 for four in 20 overs thanks to Ramdas (22), Seenarine (30), Samaroo (30) and Ramsaran (40). V Samaroo, Madan Budhram, Salim Khan, and Joshua Ramsammy took a wicket apiece for Port Mourant. Port Mourant reached the target in 15.5 overs with Rampertab Ramnath making 62 and Rampersaud Ramnath 35.
Rose Hall Canje suffered an embarrassing 25-run defeat against the youthful BCB President’s XI at the Canje ground. Arizal Kadir top-scored with 65 while Julian Bennett continued his fine form with a composed 38 as the President’s XI reached 143 for six in 20 overs. The veteran Sasenarine Sukhu took four for 17 from his four overs for Canje. Needing to score 144 to save themselves from the agony of losing to an inexperienced team, Canje were bowled out for 118 with only national Under-17 all-rounder Sanjay Algoo (28) and Lloyd David (25) offering any resistance to the President’s XI bowling attack. Fast bowler Omar Saul (4 for 21) and left-arm spinner Kumar Deopersaud (2 for 16) were the top bowlers for the President’s XI.
The tournament continues on Saturday with the third-round matches.