Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets, Albion among teams advancing to playoffs

BCB/SKYY Vodka 20/20 Cricket Tournament

The Skyy Vodka 20/20 Knock-out Cricket Tournament, organised by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), started last weekend with two matches.
Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets defeated Rose Hall Canje by 65 runs, Skeldon continued their impressive start to the 2018 First-Division season by winning by eight wickets while Albion Cricket Club and Upper Corentyne were granted walkovers over West Berbice and Young Warriors respectively after both teams failed to turn up for unknown reasons. Blairmont drew the bye and as such, advanced to the next round as well.
At the Rose Hall Canje Ground, the home team won the toss and elected to field. Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets opened with Vidal Crandon and the veteran Jason Sinclair, who added 15 for the first wicket in five overs. The batsmen struggled on a wicket with a lot of preparation moisture, but Andy Naidu (21) and Clinton Pestano (31) batted positively, as Sinclair played the defensive role to remain unbeaten on a carefully constructed 41, which contained just two boundaries. Naidu hit two sixes while national player Pestano hit three huge sixes and two boundaries in his innings as Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets reached 130 for 5 in their 20 overs.
Bowling for the home team, K Ramsarran claimed 4 for 24 while left-arm spinner Mark Sampson took 1 for 9 from his four overs. In response, Rose Hall Canje were restricted to 65 all out in 16 overs. Sasenarine Sukhdeo struck 36 to be the only batsman to reach double figures. Sukhdeo hit two sixes and three boundaries in his innings. Shawn Perreira, Eon Hooper, and Keith Simpson each took two wickets for 10, 13 and 14 respectively while Sylus Tyndall, Pestano and Jonathan Rampersaud took one wicket each.
At the Number 73 Ground, Tucber Park batted first and reached 111 all out from 10 overs as only Garfield Benjamin (33); K Michael (17); D Talack (14) and Marlon Mickle (12) reached double figures. Bowling for Skeldon, Jermaine Reid had returns of 4 for 5 in his four overs and Sherwin Murray 2 for 25. In response, Skeldon reached 114 for 7, with Charles France top-scoring with 51and he received support from Triston Ramnauth (16) and D Charitar (17). Bowling for Tucber Park, C Tanner took 2 wickets for 18 runs and R Vankenic 2 wickets for 20 runs.
BCB President Hilbert Foster stated that he was pleased that the 2018 First-Division season was finally underway and the season would include the Patron’s Cup, Skyy Vodka 20/20, Pepsi 50-Overs, Busta 40-Overs, Brian Ramphal Double Wicket and one more tournament. He called on Clubs to get themselves in order and stated that those who could not follow the new sets of rules would be left behind as the Cricket Board was enforcing a no-nonsense attitude towards discipline and the behaviour of First-Division teams.