ALBION Cricket Club Under-15 team managed to defend a target of 168, to win the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB) inter-club-sponsored Mike’s Pharmacy title after Rose Hall Town conceded the match by six runs yesterday at the Albion Community Centre ground.

Apart from Johnathan Rampersaud, with a polished 93, the remaining Rose Hall Town batsmen failed to apply themselves. They were eventually bowled out for 161 inside 35 overs.

The visitors’ line-up caved in against a rampant Albion bowling attack, with their top order collapsing spectacularly. They lost their first five wickets for just 43 runs with three key batsmen making ducks.

Pacer Leon Cecil spearheaded the batting collapse with 4-24. Earlier opener Hemendra Gurdyal made a composed 40 off 70 balls to lift his side while Damien Cecil and Naresh Veersammy made useful contributions at the back end of the innings with 26 and 19 not out respectively, but the visiting bowlers’ collective show restricted Albion to 167-7.

After winning the toss, Albion openers Gurdyal and Tameshwar Mangal were off to a steady start, adding 37 for the first wicket before Mangal was run-out for 13.

However, Leon Cecil came to the crease and hit three fours in his 13, but his innings was short-lived after he was removed by off-spinner Johnathan Rampersaud, at 50-2. Tameshwah Mahadeo (17) joined forces with Gurdyal and together the duo added 50 runs for the third-wicket before Albion’s start-stop innings continued, as Rampersaud struck for the second time to remove the right-handed Gurdyal.

Thereafter, the visitors found enough means to halt the home team’s momentum, despite knocks from Cecil and Veersammy towards the end of the innings.

Rampersaud finished with figures of 3-30, while Jeremy Sandi and Mahendra Gopilall had figures of 1-24 and 1-33 respectively.

In the run chase only Jonatha  De Veira (26), supported Rampersaud. The remaining batsmen all failed to reach double figures.

At the presentation ceremony, president of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, hailed the tournament as a huge accomplishment, adding that the goals set out by the BCB are definitely on track.

Foster also thanked Mike’s Pharmacy for their contribution towards the development of cricket in Berbice.