Rose Hall Town (RHT) Pepsi on Saturday last regained their New York Business Group Berbice Under-19 Cricket Championship title by easily outplaying Blairmont Community Centre Cricket Club on first innings.
RHT Pepsi Captain Kevin Sinclair receiving the winning prize and trophy from a representative of the New York Business Group
The historic final was played under lights using a pink ball at the Albion Cricket Ground, in front of a sizeable crowd for both nights.
RHT won the toss and elected to bat first, with national youth players Kevin and Junior Sinclair adding 85 for the first wicket, and with solid contributions from fellow national player Kevlon Anderson and Berbice all-rounder Keith Simpson, they posted 268 all out.
Kevin and Junior blasted 32 and 52 respectively, while Anderson top scored with a brilliant 73, which included five boundaries. He was supported by Simpson, who batted for over two hours to hit a composed 71.
Nigel Deodat took 5 – 75 with his left arm spin, while off-spinner Seon Glasgow took 2 – 62 before Blairmont’s response.
It was a disappointing effort which ended when they were bowled out for 92 from 46 overs.
Fawaz Gafoor batted well for 28, as Kevin returned with the ball and claimed 7 – 30, while fellow off-spinner Junior bowled well to claim 3 -32.
Rose Hall Town Pepsi, with a healthy 172 runs lead, opted to bat again; which led Kevin to complete a remarkable all round match by scoring a brilliant 101 not out as they reached 176 – 4 declared.
Anderson chipped in 48 in the second innings as the target for victory set was now 349. Marvin Prashad finished with 3 – 48 for Blairmont.
The declaration left Blairmont with 95 minutes to bat. They struggled to 58 for 5 before the game was called off thirty minutes before the scheduled closing time. National Under-19 player Javed Karim was unbeaten on 30, while Anderson and Keith Sinclair took 2 – 13 and 2 – 10 respectively.
President of the Berbice Cricket Board, Hilbert Foster, hailed the tournament as a huge success and proudly announced that Berbice Cricket was on a roll.
RHT pocketed $100,000 for the triumph and the winning trophy, while Blairmont had to settle for the $50,000 runner-up prize.
Kevin Sinclair was adjudged Man-of-the-Finals for his magnificent performance. Trophies were also presented to Sinclair as the best batsman and bowler if the finals. Other Awards shared out were Best Batsman of the Tournament – Kevlon Anderson; Best Bowler of the Tournament – Nigel Deodat; Best Wicket Keeper – Antonio February; and Best All-rounder – Kevin Sinclair.
The New York Business Group also donated a Grass mower to the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club.
