BCB/Quality Delivery U17 Tournament: Pacy McKenzie and Koobir spearhead RHT Bakewell to 2 consecutive victories

The Rose Hall Town (RHT) Bakewell Under-17 team chalked up two victories over the weekend to assure themselves of a quarterfinal spot in the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)-Quality Delivery Under-17 tournament.

They easily defeated Kennard Memorial Cricket Club by 10 wickets at the Bush Lot Farm Ground on Saturday while they edged past arch-rivals Albion by 13 runs in a low-scoring fixture at the Area H Ground.
At the Bush Lot ground, Kennard Memorial won the toss and elected to bat first after the match was affected by early-morning rain and was reduced to 40 overs per side. They were bowled out for 111 as national Under-15 pacer Rafael McKenize took 5 for 12 from six very hostile overs. Rishi Rangandan top-scored with 36, including two sixes and three boundaries. The only other batsman to reach double figures was D Lord with 22 (2×6, 2×4) while extras contributed a healthy 27. Former national Under-13 player Leon Reddi took 4 for 10 while Derwin Mckenzie has 1 for 4. RHT Bakewell, needing 112 for victory, raced to 115 without loss in 12.5 overs as former national Under-15 player Razam Koobir ended on 80 not out inclusive of six sixes and five boundaries while Matthew Periara was unbeaten on 25.

The match between arch-rivals Albion and Rose Hall Town lived up to expectations and went down to the wire. Rose Hall Town, batting first on a pitch with a lot of preparation moisture, were bowled out for 110 in 35.3 overs, with national Under-15 wicketkeeper-batsman Sohail Mohammed scoring 30 (3×4, 1×6). He received support from Balraj Narine (16), Reddi (12) and Mckenzie (10 not out).
Bowling for Albion was Devin Lalbeharri (3 for 21) and Chamesh Seenauth (3 for 14). Albion, who were defeated by Port Mourant on Saturday, required 111 from 50 overs to give themselves a chance to reach the quarterfinals. They were immediately set back when Seenauth was trapped lbw by Reddi for nought while Said Jumratty was sent packing by McKenzie to leave them reeling at 2 for 2 in the second over. The promising Nathaniel Ramsammy and Rovin Lalbeharri then added 51 for the third wicket before Ramsammy was bowled by RHT Bakewell skipper Kumalchand Ramnarais for 26 to trigger a major collapse. Albion were eventually bowled out for 97 in the 28th over; Lalbeharri was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 16. The impressive McKenzie took 4 for 30, off-spinner Ramnarais 2 for 16, Reddi 1 for 11 (5 overs) and Balraj Narine 1 for 15 (6 overs) also bowled well.
Albion with two defeats have been knocked out of the competition while RHT Bakewell and Port Mourant would clash on Saturday to decide the winner of Zone C.