Albion Community Centre had to fight hard to secure an eight-run victory over Port Mourant and earn a place in the final of the 2011 Ramcharitar Construction Services first division limited overs cricket competition.
In their semi-final, which was played at the Port Mourant Ground over the week end, Albion took first strike after losing the toss in a match that had to be reduced to a 25 overs-a-side contest, because of a late start due to overnight and morning showers. Already without the services of their West Indies leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo and national left arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul who are both overseas on duty for the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Albion were further weakened by the absence of former West Indies opening batsmen Sewnarine Chattergoon, Jonathan Foo and former Guyana Under-19 batsman Harrinarine Chattergoon.
They had a start of 23 runs from 2011 Guyana Under-19 representative Kandasammy Surujnarine and Doodnauth Lallbeharry who was the first to go for 13. Former West Indies middle order batsman, Narsingh Deonarine joined Surujnarine and they put on 55 runs for the second wicket before Deonarine fell for 24. Surujnarine continued to hold the innings together, putting on another valuable 25 for the third wicket with Hemendra Ramdial (15), before he was eventually run out for what turned out to be a match-winning 53, which included one four and one six. Bowling for Port Mourant Karibee Rice – pacer Yogendra Harrinarine took 2 for 24 and former national player Andre Percival 2 for 3.
When Port Mourant began their run chase, they lost an early wicket with just 10 runs on the board.
But Shastri Persaud put on 27 runs for the second wicket with Poorendra Dabidyal (6) and 30 for the third wicket with Sameer Khan (10).
He also put on a 30-run, fifth-wicket partnership with Percival (8) who fell with the score at 101 for 5 in 20.3 overs.
With 36 more runs needed off 27 balls, the hard-hitting Persaud still there.
But Port Mourant lost three wickets in quick succession, including the wicket of Persaud who made 61.
Port Mourant needed 15 runs from the last over bowled by Gudakesh Motie, but they could only muster six to end up on 128 for 9 in their 25-overs.
Bowling for Albion Community Centre Deonarine took 3 for 23, national Under-15 off-spinner Sharaz Ramcharran 2 for 16 and Gudakesh Motie 2 for 35.
Albion Community Centre will now clash with Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets who drew a bye after defeating Edinburgh in the second round.
The date and venue for the final will be fixed shortly.
