Tucber Park registered a 198-run win over Port Mourant while Rose Hall Town Thunderbolt Flour defeated Blairmont Blazers by eight wickets to book their spots in the semi-final of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club/Berbice Cricket Board/ Busta Champion of Champions 40-over first-division tournament.
At Area H, the location for today’s semi-final, Blairmont won the toss, opted to bat and crumbled for 78 in 24.2 overs. The hosts then raced to 80-2 in 14.5 overs.
Newly appointed captain, Eon Hooper was virtually unplayable, picking up 5-13 with his off-spin. The discarded first-class player crippled the strength of Blairmount’s middle order with both Javed Karim (08) and Kevin Jawahir (00) caught and bowled.
Hooper trapped Nigel Deodat leg before wicket and bowled Kris Ramnarine who offered no shot to be on a hat trick.
Legspinner, Shawn Pereira supported with 3-28.
Opener Zameer Nazeer struck three sixes one of which was off the first ball of the match but fell for 18 bowled by left-arm spinner, Keith Simpson. His fellow opener, also fell for 18 while Shabeer Baksh was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 12.
In reply Thunderbolts Junior Sinclair and Khemraj Mahadeo put on 43 for the opening stand.
He was dismissed for 35 after hitting six boundaries while his brother, Jason, was trapped leg before wicket shortly after but Mahadeo carried his side over the line with an unbeaten 26, featuring one four and two sixes, one of which sealed their semi-final spot off a freebie from Baksh.
Meanwhile, over at Port Mourant, the hosts were shot out for a paltry 91 in 21 overs, responding to Tucber Park’s 289-5 in their 40-overs.
Tucber Park had a comprehensive performance with the bat, led by National youth player, Garfield Benjamin who stroked 65 with six boundaries.
Earlier Martin Singh (27) and Maxie DeJonge (40) laid the foundation with a 62-run opening stand.
Benjamin then forged an 82-run fourth wicket partnership with Anthony D’Andrade who scored 46 with only one four and one six while Keion DeJesus (40 not out) and Damion Vantull (35) provided crucial cameos.
When Port Mourant batted, offspinner Singh ripped through the line-up to take 7-29.
Only Rampertab Ramnauth (19) and Mahendra Boodram (24) reached double figures.
