The 2009 Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Tenelec Inc.-sponsored first division 50 overs-a-side cricket competition got underway last Sunday with outstanding performances from Veerasammy Permaul, Jermaine Reid, Colin Duke and Anthony Bramble in the three matches.
After Albion Community Centre had posted a modest 138 in 38.5 overs, with Doodnauth Lallbeharry (25) and Jonathan Foo (23) being the principal scorers against Upper Corentyne, national left arm spinner Permaul struck back for them to claim 5-31 and along with Lallbeharry’s 4-24 guided them to a 48-run victory.
Albion’s victory was however marred by the fact that Lallbeharry’s name was mistakenly not on their declared list causing Upper Corentyne to play under protest. The matter will be dealt with by the Competition Committee of the Berbice Cricket Board.
Reid who is a fast bowler for Skeldon Community Centre took 5-30 from eight overs as Scottsburg United made 184 in 46 overs with national Under-19 wicket-keeper-batsman Anthony Bramble contributing 55 (5×4).
However Scotsburg’s Essequibo Inter-county left arm spinner Robert Moore took 4-15 from eight overs of controlled spin bowling to see Skeldon fall for 105 in reply.
Former Berbice Under-19 pacer now all-rounder Colin Duke hit 65 (4×4) to pace West Berbice to a four-wicket win over Blairmont Community Centre.
Scores from the matches played:
At Port Mourant, Albion Community Centre beat Upper Corentyne by 48 runs.
Winning the toss and opting to take first strike, Albion Community Centre reached 138 before they were bowled out in 38.5 overs with Doodnauth Lallbeharry (25) and Jonathan Foo (23) being the leading batsmen.
Fast bowler Chris Bollers led the bowling with 3-35 and along with off spinners Jameer Azad and fast bowler Omesh Khemraj who took two wickets each, ensured Upper Corentyne had a modest total to chase for an upset victory.
But Permaul had other ideas in mind when he scalped 5-31 from 8.5 overs and along with Lallbeharry who completed a good all round game with his 4-24, bowled out Upper Corentyne for 90, with only Deoprakash Ramdat and Imran Khan contributing 13 each, as Albion recorded a 38-runs victory.
At Scottsburg, Scottsburg United beat Skeldon Community Centre by 79 runs.
Scottsburg United winning the toss and batting first scored 184 in 46 overs with national Under-19 wicketkeeper/batsman Anthony Bramble top scoring with 55, while Peter Grimes (33) and Berbice Under-19 opener Alex Amsterdam contributed 22. Reid took 5 -30 from eight overs for Skeldon Community Centre who were then routed for 105 in 27 overs with Shahab Rasheid and Christopher Jaundoo contributing 14 each against the bowling of Moore 4-15 and Grimes 3-26.
At Blairmont, West Berbice beat Blairmont Community Centre by 4 wickets. Blairmont Community Centre winning the toss and batting first made 196 in 45 overs with Brian Roopnarine (29), Ramesh Budhram (26), Nedesh Basdeo (23) against the bowling of off spinner Dennis Webster who took 3-35 and Sherwin Mc Pherson 2-33 for West Berbice. In reply West Berbice made 197 for 6 from 47 overs with Duke leading the way with 65 and Keno Gravesande 42.
The competition continues this weekend with second and third round matches.