Albion Community Centre (ACC) defeated Rose Hall Town Windies Sports Bar (RHTWSB) by seven wickets to take the first ever by 10/10 cricket competition in Guyana organized Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC) last Sunday..
Playing in front of a massive crowd at the Area ‘H’ ground, Rose Hall, Albion were led to victory first by some controlled spin bowling from national left arm orthodox spinner Veerasammy Permaul and Ranga Lachigadu in the Ansa Mc Al sponsored tournament.
Batting first, RHTWSB struggled in the face of the slower bowlers and after finding themselves shakily placed on 15-3 in the third over, they managed to score 68-5 from their 10 overs, to which ACC replied with 69-3 from 7.4 overs.
After losing the wickets of national players Royston Crandon (03) and Assad Fudadin (00), they quickly lost Khemraj Mahadeo (01) to be perched on 16-4, but a 30 run fifth wicket partnership between Renwick Batson (15) and debutant Seon Crandon (28*) carried the host team to their eventual total.
When ACC began their reply, they lost the wicket of Doodnauth Lallbeharry (04), who was caught and bowled by Ravi Narine in the third over with their score on 22. But national under-19 middle order batsman Jonathan Foo struck three sixes and two fours in his 31, which carried ACC to 69-2 from 7.4 overs.
Earlier in the day, ACC defeated Port Mourant by eight wickets in their semi-final clash to earn the right to meet RHTWSB in the final.
Port Mourant lost the toss, and being asked to take first strike, scored 97-5 from their 10 overs. They were led by national middle order batsman Homchand Pooran who scored 23 and Rajiv Ivan 22. Verapen Permaul grabbed 3-14, while national right arm leg spinner Devendra Bishoo took 2-22.
In reply, ACC scored 100-2 from nine overs despite losing the wickets of former national 20/20 player Imran Khan early. Shastri Persaud and Doodnauth Lallbeharry repaired the damage with some powerful hitting, before Persaud was caught off national leg spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo.
But Narsingh Deonarine joined forces with Lallbeharry at 68-2 and saw their team home without any further trouble, with Lallbeharry being unbeaten on 32 while Deonarine made 22.
For their efforts, Albion took home the first prize of $100,000 in cash and the same amount in educational and hygiene kits, while RHTWSB carted off $50,000 in cash and the said amount in kits. Port Mourant received $15,000 and a box of hygiene kits and Veerasammy Permaul took home $10,000, after being adjudged Man of the Match in the finals.
Secretary of RHTYSC Hilbert Foster congratulated ACC on their victory and lauded the sponsors Ansa Mc Al for their sterling contribution to the tournament.
