In the 10th grassroots tournament of the Berbice Cricket Board, the Troy Halley-sponsored tournament saw D’Edward beating Bush Lot United by six runs in the final at Bush Lot Village, Ground Sunday.
D’Edward won the toss and batted posting an imposing 181 for seven from their allotted 20 overs.
Bush Lot United, in reply, reached 175 for eight.
D’Edward’s batting centered on Man-of-the-Match, Lakeraj Sukwah, who stroked a well-composed 60. He was supported by Altaf Khan and Deonauth Persaud with 28 and 20 runs respectively while Keith Fraser made a brisk 18. Andrew Rambarran was the principal bowler for Bush Lot United, taking 3-37.
The chase looked settled from the start with Navindra Prashad leading the charge with a fine 51, decorated with three sixes and two fours.
Rajput Hemraj supported well with a responsible 42. However, apart from Kymant Ally, who made 29, the hosts fell behind the asking rate with 14 required from the final over. Lakeraj Sukwah snatched 2-9 while Heralall Bridgelall bagged 2-11 to see D’Edward to the title.
Ealier, D’Edward booked their spot in the final after beating Bush Lot Rising Stars by eight wickets while Bush Lot United also moved into the final with an eight-wicket win over Achievers.
The nine other tournaments were sponsored by a wide range of former cricketers associated with Berbice cricket including former test player Narsingh Deonarine, Hemnarine Chattergoon, Vishal Nagamootoo, Karran Singh, Arjune Nandu, Mukesh Appiah, Jermey Gordon and Shimron Hetmeyer.
According to the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), “Apart from renewing the passion for the game among players, the other objectives of the grassroots tournaments were to identify new talent, promote social cohesion and to allow smaller clubs, the chance to win a BCB title.”
BCB President Hilbert Foster announced that teams in the four sub zones namely, West Berbice, Upper Corentyne, New Amsterdam/Canje and Lower/Central Corentyne will now clash in their own Inter-Zone knockout tournaments before the countywide round-robin tournament starts later in the year.
BCB Vice President Robby Saywack, extended gratitude to Troy Halley, a former West Berbice player for his support and called on others to follow in his footsteps. The winning and runner up teams received financial prizes along with trophies.
