BCB/Mogu Mogu School Cricket
– Persaud, Naidu restrict Lower Corentyne to 50
The combined brilliance of Garfield Benjamin, Simon Naidu and Byron Persaud helped New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) to a comprehensive 171-run victory over defending champions Lower Corentyne Secondary School in the final of the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB’s) Mogu Mogo 30 Over School Cricket tournament.
This match was played in scintillating sunshine at the ‘Area H’ ground in Rose Hall Town on the Corentyne, where the ground is relatively small and the outfields are lightning fast. The NATI team took first strike, and captain Garfield Benjamin was in his element as he continued his superb form, hitting a masterful 88. This underrated Berbice batsman made the weary Lower Corentyne bowlers pay for their ordinary bowling; and he received support from former Berbice Under 17 player Brandon Stewart, who stroked a composed 40, while former Guyana Under 15 player Stephen Kamaludin hit 21.
At the end of their 30 overs, NATI had posted a mammoth 221-8. Bowling for Lower Corentyne, D. Cecil took 2-35 and V. Gopilall 2-34.
Lower Corentyne were pursuing 222 for victory, but they ran into the likes of Simon Naidu and Byron Persaud, outstanding bowling for NATI. Naidu was quick to make use of his home conditions with his left-arm spin, and was easily the best bowler on show, with impressive figures of 4-19; while Byron Persaud was equally outstanding with 4-22.
Lower Corentyne were bowled out for a mere 50 runs, giving NATI the school’s championship title in Berbice. Neil Tillakram was the only Lower Corentyne batter to score double figures — 10 runs made in an embarrassing batting display.
The New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) played unbeaten in this tournament, and were led by a professional Garfield Benjamin, who was also the tournament’s leading run-scorer with scores of 124; 34; 84; 0, and 88.
