The finals of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS)/Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Women’s Super 50 tournament took place yesterday at the LBI Ground, where Essequibo defeated Berbice by two wickets in a tense 45-over contest.
Berbice, sent in to bat under slightly overcast skies, were given a positive start by opener Tiea Isaacs, who applied early pressure on the Essequibo bowlers. The first breakthrough came when Nikehsa Narine removed Sherica Campbell for seven. Essequibo nearly struck twice in quick succession, but a mis-hit from Crystal Durant landed safely in no man’s land. After 14 overs, Berbice were 45 for 1.
Narine struck again soon after, removing Durant for a duck, before Sheneta Grimmond contributed 12 from 15 deliveries, only to fall to a smart return catch by the in-form Narine.
Kumarie Persaud then produced a double strike, bowling Plaffianna Millington for 12 and trapping Daniella Hicks LBW for two, leaving Berbice wobbling at 95 for 5 after 26 overs.
The slide continued as Tramaine Marks delivered two excellent deliveries to claim back-to-back wickets, reducing Berbice to 96 for 7. Isaacs remained the backbone of the innings, but her patient 47 from 87 balls (including six fours) came to an end when Narine returned to dismiss her. Berbice were eventually bowled out for 134 in 37.5 overs.
Narine led the attack with outstanding figures of 4 for 33, while Marks and Persaud chipped in with two wickets apiece.
Essequibo’s chase began shakily, with Persaud dismissed for a duck. Marks attempted to inject momentum but was removed for 16 off 28 balls. With Berbice gaining control, Millington was reintroduced into the attack and immediately made an impact, trapping Yonette Welcome LBW for 8. Crystal Durant then bowled Shonette Belgrave for one, leaving Essequibo at55 for 5 after 20 overs.
Desperately needing stability, the Williams sisters delivered a crucial 62-run partnership built on smart rotation of the strike and timely boundaries. Captain Laurene Williams’ determined 35 from 77 balls finally ended in the 36th over, with Essequibo poised at 117 for 6.
Berbice struck twice in succession to set up a tense finish, but Latoya Williams remained calm under pressure. Her unbeaten 32 from 69 balls, supported by Cyanna Retemiah’s 8*, guided Essequibo to 135 for 8 in 38.1 overs — securing a memorable two-wicket victory and the 2025 Senior Women’s Super 50 title.
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