Defending champs Lower Corentyne, NATI advance to final

BCB Mogu Mogu Inter-Secondary Tournament…

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Mogu Mogu Inter-Secondary Schools tournament continued with the outstanding New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) team advancing to the final of the 30-over tournament for schools across Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
NATI brushed aside JC Chandisingh Secondary School (JCCSS) by 88 runs in the semi-final at Port Mourant Community Centre Ground.
In blistering sunshine, NATI, batting first, racked up 180-8 in 30 overs. Aggressive batting was seen throughout the innings as astonishing youth batsman Garfield Benjamin scored a brisk 88. Benjamin, who recently scored a masterful century in an earlier round of the tournament, took the attack to the JCCSS bowlers with some exquisite shots all over the fairly large Port Mourant Ground. Benjamin was supported by the former Berbice Under-19 player Brandon Stewart, who scored a well-composed 30. Guyana Under-15 spinner Jeremy Sandia was the pick of the bowlers grabbing 3-25 in six overs.
In reply, JCCSS encountered difficulties achieving the target of 181 in 30 overs. The Guyana Under-15 player Jonathan Rampersaud was the only spark with the bat, as he stroked a solid 32, with Lucas Arthur offering resistance with 16. Berbice Under-19 spin ace Keith Simpson spun webs around the batsmen picking up 4 for 12 runs in his six overs, with an economy rate of two. Former Guyana Under-15 left-arm fast bowler Stephen Kamaladin grabbed 3 for 16 while impressive left-arm spinner Simon Naidu picked up 2-23.
In the other semi-final, Upper Corentyne Technical Institute (UCTI) were trounced by Lower Corentyne Secondary School (LCSS). UCTI, opting to bat first, managed 126 all out in 22.5 overs. A Hussain (37); Arvin Lall (21) and Rudy Jamladeen (19) were the chief scorers with the bat. Jeremiah Felix 3-9 and Leon Cecil 3-26 were the destructors with the ball.
The LCSS cruised to victory ending on 128-5 in 19.5 overs.
Leon Cecil scored an attacking 42 while T Mahadeo made an attractive 30. However, it was Damien Cecil’s responsible 23 not out that saw his team across the finish line.
The final for Region Six zone will be played on Tuesday, October 30 at the Cumberland Ground from 10:00h. The winner of that will advance to the grand finale challenging the winner of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) for the BCB Mogu Mogu Championship. (Brandon Corlette)