Sand Hills Friendship defeat Ebini

BCB-Berbice River Cricket 20/20 Cricket Tournament…

– BCB makes donation to clubs

The Area H Ground in Guyana’s smallest township came alive Sunday last when dozens of residents from communities based in the Berbice River turned up to witness the final of the second annual Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/Berbice River Area 20/20 Cricket Tournament.

Last year’s runners-up Sand Hills Friendship easily defeated Ebini by 75 runs to lift the 2019 trophy.
Sand Hills won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 148-8 from their allotted 20 overs after recovering from a shaky position of 33-3 in the fifth over. They quickly lost Byron Lindee (6); Michael Caple (19) and Daniel Leacock (1) as medium pacer Vijai Totoram produced a penetrating opening spell of 4-1-23-3.
The eventual champions’ middle order batted well with Glendon Fedricks (28); Joshua Leacock (22); Brian King (21 not out) and W Caplie (23) chipping in well. Daniel Leacock and King added a crucial 43 for the fifth wicket. The best bowlers for Ebini were Peter Grant (3 for 20); Totoram (3 for 23) and M Leacock (2 for 26).
Requiring 149 off 120 balls to lift the BCB title, Ebini were never allowed to score freely as Sand Hills Friendship bowled a tight line and fielded superbly. Opening fast bowler Jason Leacock and B King bowled well to restrict the score to 33 for 2 in the 11th over. Ebini were eventually dismissed for73 in 17.3 overs.
D Leacock (17); Skipper Ian Lyte (20) and Totoram (13) were the only batsmen to reach double figures. B King (2 for 14); Ryan DeNobrega (2 for 12); J Leacock (2 for 17) and Daniel Leacock (2 for 10) were the champions’ best bowlers. Joshua Leacock was named Man of the Finals and received a trophy and small water pitcher.
BCB President Hilbert Foster praised the positive atmosphere that the finals were played in and stated that he was very impressed with the high level of talent on display. The BCB boss brought the entire delegation of players, club officials, and supporters from the riverine communities up to date on the current state of Berbice cricket, as well as plans for the future and areas of assistance that clubs have benefited from the BCB. He expressed disappointment that a club in the area did not play in the tournament on the alleged advice of a cricket official who has a history of not supporting his administration. Foster told the visitors that he has no interest in cricket politics, but rather in the overall development of the game and in making sure that every cricketing talent is given the opportunity to develop.
Representatives of the clubs stated their displeasure with persons who have no linkage to their area representing them at the BCB levels and vowed to stop the situation.
The winning team and runners-up both received a financial prize and trophies. The Cricket Board donated a five-gallon water pitcher, a three-gallon pitcher and a box of balls each to the two teams. Foster also handed over anti-suicide posters, youth information booklets, exercise books and a large quantity of educational materials including pens, pencils, and sharpeners to the clubs on behalf of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS.
The BCB would host both teams on November 23 in a special match at the Albion Ground as part of its effort to assist in the development of the game in the riverine area. The tournament was sponsored by a West Berbice businessman who has several businesses in the Berbice River area.
The completion of the tournament fulfils the commitment of the active BCB to host cricket in all five sub-associations in Berbice – Berbice River, Upper Corentyne, Lower Corentyne, West Berbice and New Amsterdam-Canje.