An unbeaten half century from Collis Noble yesterday piloted Achievers to a five-wicket win over Blairmont Blazers and the Berbice Cricket Board/Brian Ramphal Under-19 title.
Playing at the Cotton Tree Die Hard Ground, West Berbice, Blazers won the toss and batted, posting 199 all out in 45.4 overs.
In reply, Achievers strolled to 201 for five with 10.4 overs to spare.
Noble played with extreme caution after losing his opening partner, Odel Miller (00) in the second over, going on to hammer seven boundaries inclusive of two sixes.
The right-hander was fortunate to be dropped at short mid-wicket on 67 but was instrumental in an unbroken 90-run stand for the sixth wicket with Omari Arthur who made 29, with three sixes and one four. Arthur also was dropped on 14 and capitalized on the inexperienced bowling line-up.
Noble shared in a 40-run partnership for the second wicket with Toolsieram Ramcharran who, dropped on five, went on to make 24. Ramcharran stroked three fours and one six before being stumped off of Rashaad Gafoor (2-23). Earlier, Blazers benefited from a sloppy bowling display by Achievers who gifted 50 extras. Despite the extras, runs off the bat were difficult to come by with only Gafoor looking solid.
The right-handed opener carved six boundaries on his way to 57 before he was bowled by off-spinner Shemar Halley. Farouk Subhan (18), Shreenauth Ramnarine (15 not out) and Anthony Sukra (15) were the other batsmen to have starts while off-spinners, Arthur and Shelton Ramsay bagged two wickets each.
President of the Berbice Cricket Board, Hilbert Foster said that the match was one of the better matches he has seen in West Berbice in a long time adding that he is of the belief that contrary to observers, youth cricket is in good hands with the prospects shown by both teams.
Foster pinpointed Noble’s Man-of-the-Match performance and told the opener that his grandfather, former National captain, Jerry Angus, would have been proud of his performance. The BCB president noted that while Noble was not selected in the Berbice Under-19 squad this year, if he continues in this form, he will put the selectors under the pump.
Foster also singled out Ramcharran for his patient innings as he highlighted, he has not seen a more naturally talented batsman in the zone in quite some time. He was also in awe of Gafoor for his all-round ability.
During the presentation, Foster also presented $160,000 worth of catching boards and scorebooks to the 11 active clubs in West Berbice.
