Grove Primary crowned Demerara Future Warriors’ Champions
After a scintillating final of the ExxonMobil Guyana Future Warriors tapeball blast Demerara leg on Sunday, Grove Primary emerged as the new champions after beating the reigning champions, Stella Maris Primary by six wickets.
In the main event at the National Stadium, Providence, following overnight showers, the East Bank Demerara-based Grove Primary won the toss and inserted the city side, Stella Maris.
Champions! Grove Primary celebrate as Demerara zone champions of Future Warriors Tapeball for Primary Schools
Stella Maris Primary were contained to 47 for two after their eight-over allotment expired; Grove Primary survived an early scare to eventually reach 49 for four with 10 balls to spare.
Wayne Green provided a late impetus for Grove, hitting two fours and a six during his top score of 17 not out while getting support from Roles Melville, who made 12 from six balls.
Titus Allicock chipped in with nine not out to see his side over the line.
Eyeon Glasgow was the pick of the bowlers for Stella Maris, taking 2-14 after removing Sherwin Bunbury and Terrence Frank with three deliveries.
Earlier, Stella Maris were gifted 26 extras as Glasgow top-scored with 12 not out from 20 balls.
The tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Roles Melville of Grove Primary collects his prize from ExxonMobil Guyana’s Suzie DeAbreu
Melville ended as the leg’s Most Valuable Player and leading wicket-taker with nine scalps to his name while Stella Maris’s Clyde Jacobs finished as the leg’s leading run getter with 88, scoring the tournament’s lone half-century.
In the semi-finals, Stella Maris opened the day with a victory over West Ruimveldt Primary in a one-sided nine-wicket win.
Stella Maris won the toss and inserted West Ruimveldt Primary who made 67 for three after Steven Orie clubbed four boundaries in his innings of 20 not out.
Support came from Seon Harsham (13) and Eli Henry (12 not out).
Stella Maris then raced to 69 for one in five overs as Jacobs smashed five fours and a six on his way to a top score of 35 not out. Aaron Perkins belted two sixes in his 12-run cameo.
Bowled! Part of the action on the final day at the National Stadium, Providence
In the second semi-final, Grove Primary benefited from three dropped catches by St Pius to advance with a six-wicket victory.
Grove had won the toss and elected to field, containing St Pius to 40 for four as no batsman reached double figures and extras accounted for 22.
Melville continued his impressive form with the ball, taking 2-8.
In the chase, Joshua Ramotar, who opened the batting, steered his side to victory with a composed 14-ball 24 not out.
His innings featured three fours and one six.
Kevon Pile looked to secure St Pius’s spot in the final, taking 3-10, but it ultimately came down to dropped catches causing them to lose the match.
The tournament now heads to Berbice, where 16 teams will compete this weekend.
