The star-studded Rose Hall Town Metro (RHTM) female cricket team comprising Guyana’s three West Indies players crushed West Berbice by 307 runs to reach the national semi-finals of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Women’s tourney.
Playing at the Area ‘H’ ground in the Berbice Zone of the tournament, West Berbice, led by national player Natasha Gangoo, won the toss and invited RHTM to take first strike. They soon regretted this decision as West Indies player and national vice-captain Shemaine Campbell and Melanie Henry put on a massive opening stand of 186 in 22 overs before Henry was caught and bowled by Gangoo for a well played 63 (8×4, 1×6).
Campbell scored the first century of the tournament reaching a brilliant 112 that included 19 fours and a six before she was bowled by Steffee Rodney at 202 in the 25th over. WI all-rounder Tremayne Smartt and the aggressive Tessa Park then added 86 for the third wicket before Smartt was dismissed for 40.
Erva Giddings, another WI all-rounder, then joined Park adding 80 for the fourth wicket before a tired looking Park was bowled by Gangoo for a quick fire 97 (17×4) in the 40th over. Giddings was left unbeaten on 38 and Nirmala Sewdat on two as the RHTM ended on a record 376 for 4 off their allotted 40 overs.
Gangoo was the only bowler to avoid the onslaught to take 2-42 from 8 overs.
In reply, West Berbice were bundled out for 69 in 17.4 overs. Medium pacer Shenella McBean grabbed a hat-trick to end with 3-8. RHTM would play Georgetown in the national semi-finals on Thursday at the Area ‘H’ ground.
