When number 11 batsman Kevin Persaud went out to bat, his team No 73 Young Warriors needed 19 runs to overcome their longtime rivals Scottsburg United, who were just one wicket away from an exciting victory in the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association’s Trophy Stall Under-19 Inter-Club Tournament.
Persaud and his batting mate calmly constructed a partnership in seven overs to spark wild celebrations from their teammates as No 73 Young Warriors won their first-ever championship title at any level.
Earlier in the day, Scottsburg won the toss and elected to bat first in brilliant sunshine at the No 72 Cut and Load Ground. A brilliant and elegant innings by Stephan Norah led them to a healthy 257 all out from 48 overs. Norah struck 14
The winning No 73 team take a photograph with representatives of the UCCA and the Trophy Stall
boundaries and six huge sixes in his 119. He received useful support from Akram Ali (31); Chandra Budram (19); Aktar Nahar (13) and Brandon Nandlall (12). Bowling for No 73 Young Warriors, Anthony Jabbar took 3 for 40, Sarwan Chaitnarine 2 for 24 and Asteer Hussain 2 for 69. Persaud, Trevon Sukhoo, and Vettori Latchman each supported with a wicket apiece.
Needing to score 258 from 50 overs to lift the title on the fast and small outfield, No 73 Young Warriors were cruising at 170 for 2 in the 33rd over owing to solid innings from Anthony Jabbar (33); Neon Singh (70); Sarwan Chaitnarine (30) and Vettori Latchman (26). The dismissal of Singh at 170 followed by Latchman at 175 for 4 brought Scottsburg back into the game. No 73 fought hard to reach 239 for 9 when the last pair came together. Asteer Hussain (11); Trevon Sukhoo; Brian Stuart (10) all contributed runs for No 73. Scottsburg did not help themselves by contributing seven wides in the 10th-wicket partnership between Kissoon and Persaud. Daniel Persaud (3-16); Norah (3-42) and Rudy Jamaladin (2-38) were the main wicket-takers for the very disappointed Scottsburg United team.
Norah was named man of the final despite ending up on the losing side, for his brilliant 119 and 3 for 42. Upper Corentyne Cricket Association President (UCCA) Dennis De Andrade hailed the tournament as a great success and proudly stated that cricket in the sub-association was on the move.
He expressed gratitude to the Trophy Stall and its Managing Director, Ramesh Sunich, for sponsoring the tournament. Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster also praised the outstanding work of the UCCA, which he described as a model sub-association. A passionate Foster urged the young players to develop a culture of hard work and dedication while rejecting devious temptations such as drugs, alcohol and crime.
He committed the BCB to providing opportunities for all youths in Berbice to fulfil their potential. Foster also express gratitude to the Trophy Stall for the sponsorship.
Trophy Stall representative Daniel Samaroo stated that the company and Sunich were pleased to support cricket in the Upper Corentyne area. Samaroo stated that he was impressed with the level of cricket played and both teams, with over 500 runs scored in the match.
He expressed gratitude to the UCCA for allowing Trophy Stall to sponsor the tournament. The winning team, runner-up and Man of the Final each collected trophies, medals, and cash prizes from the organisers.
