Mentore keen for contest
The Gafoors 20/20 semi-finals slated for Berbice and Demerara yesterday were washed out after torrential rain swept across the two counties.
The competition which started in October 2008 with more than thirty-four teams countrywide was expected to climax this weekend.
Late last year the competition saw the organizers cutting short a few rounds in an effort to bring about an earlier finish after the rains.
Speaking to Stabroek Sport via telephone, Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Competitions Committee, Colin Europe said that the semi-finals will now be played at the same venues on Wednesday.
The semi-finals yesterday which were scheduled for Berbice and Demerara would have seen Berbice Zone Champions, Rose Hall Town Windies Sports Bar (RHTWSB) taking on Demerara Zone runner-up, Demerara Cricket Club at the Rose Hall Canje ground. In the other semi-final match that was scheduled, Essequibo Zone Champions, Central Essequibo were down to take on Demerara Zone winners, Lusignan at Bourda.
Europe, meanwhile, is confident that come next week the semi-finals will be completed. The four teams made it to the semi-finals after competitions, which started last October, were played in their respective counties.
A disappointed DCC President Alfred Mentore expressed his frustration. “At the moment, even though we have no control over the weather, we are very disappointed at not being able to confront RHTWSB, our sister club in this important match-up. We were psyched up for this game, having gone through some intense practise sessions.”
The former national under-19 middle-order batsman further stated, “The guys had some valuable practice in their Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Cellink Plus match and were ready and raring to have a go against the Berbicians and to be told that same was not possible because of the weather was a big blow.”
“We now have to go back to the drawing board whilst at the same time, continue with our intense practise session as we don’t want to be caught napping…” Mentore stated.
When asked about the unavailability of his three players in national skipper Travis Dowlin, all rounder Christopher Barnwell and wicketkeeper/batsman Derwin Christian, Mentore was quick to point out that their services would have been missed, but the team has its reserves who are capable replacements.
If the match comes off on Wednesday the trio will still not be available.
“Those three guys are superstars in their own right. Their contribution would have been valuable to the club, especially in this form of the game. We all know what Travis can do with the bat, whilst both Barnwell and Christian are worthy customers in their own right.”
“Having said that, we had replacements who are worthy enough to see us through. No disrespect to RHTWSB, but with players in the calibre of national fast bowler Trevon Garraway, under-19 batsman Trevon Griffith and former national under-19 off spinner Garvin Nedd, they would have found us a hard nut to crack” said Mentore.
He added “Like us, they were missing three key players too in the Crandon siblings Royston and Esaun Crandon, and Assad Fudadin. But if I was asked in whose favour the game would have been, I would readily say DCC, as we were prepared to deal with anything they threw at us.”
Efforts to contact RHTWSB for a comment proved futile.
