Under glorious sunshine, supporters came out in large numbers to witness high-profile cricket in the finals of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)-Upper Corentyne Cricket Association/Ramnaresh Sarwan 40-Over Second-Division Tournament.
At the No 72 Cut and Load Ground, No 72 All Stars held their nerve to defeat their opponents by 10 runs in a thrilling encounter, which kept the huge crowd on its feet during the final 10 overs.
The winning team pose with UCCA President Dennis De Andrade and Secretary Sydney Jackman
No 72 All Stars won the toss and opted to bat, managing 156 all out in 35 overs. Kameshwar Chatterpaul top-scored with 36 and was supported by Anand Singh with 25. Mohindra Bhoj and Trishan Ramdass scored 20 runs each. Ikhram Khan was the best bowler with 3 for 15 while Abdullah Ajib, Rishi Persaud, and Devanand Chatterpaul grabbed two wickets each for the No 72 Cut and Load team.
Requiring 157 in 40 overs to claim their first BCB title, Cut and Load were given a perfect start of 70 runs by openers Ramesh Joseph and Kadil Ajib before Joseph threw his wicket away in the 18th over by being caught on the long-on boundary for 22. Ajib continued to play a responsible innings even as wickets fell around him as the result of a brilliant spell of hostile fast bowling by Taleshwar Baichan, who took four quick wickets. The dismissal of the talented Rishi Persaud, caught at mid-wicket off a miscued pull, was the crucial turning point for the match as No 72 All Stars never gave up hope. Devanand Chatterpaul (15) and Ajib tried to hold the innings together, but when Baichan trapped Ajib LBW for a top score of 50, the match was virtually over for No 72 Cut and Load. Baichan took 4 for 23 and Wayne Garnett 3 for 31 for the champions.
BCB President Hilbert Foster was loud in praise for the friendly atmosphere that the final was played in, noting that both teams hailed from the same village. Foster, who has visited the Upper Corentyne area 24 times since his election in February, stated that there could be no doubt that cricket in the area was on the move again.
He praised the UCCA for the outstanding work it was doing to promote the game. Special mention was made of former West Indies Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan for his sponsorship of the Tournament, which was contested by 24 teams.
The Tournament was the 16th completed by the Board in the last four months while eight others are in progress.
With several other tournaments expected to start shortly, the BCB are on track to create a record by hosting close to 30 tournaments at different levels for clubs across the county.
UCCA Secretary Sydney Jackman was quite appreciative of the outstanding work of the Board and the role it has been playing in the promotion of the game in Upper Corentyne.
He also disclosed that the Board and UCCA were scheduled to host an Under-19 Tournament for six clubs in the area while the New Building Society Second-Division Tournament will restart after a short break.
Trophies and financial incentives were bestowed upon the champions, runners-up and the Man of the Final, Baichan.
