THE first of four internal cricket finals of the historic Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)-organised Sueria Manufacturing Magic Moments 20/20 Cricket tournament was hosted at the No.72 Cut and Load cricket ground.

Playing in front of a large and colourful crowd in a festive atmosphere, No.48 Challengers defeated Skeldon Super Kings by 75 runs to lay their hands on the first title of the four-way Magic Moments tournament.

A total of 28 teams started the tournament which was for teams in the Upper Corentyne while the other finals would be played for teams in the following areas shortly – Lower Corentyne, New Amsterdam/Canje and West Berbice

In the lone semifinal, earlier in the day Skeldon Super Kings Cricket Club defeated No.72 All Stars Cricket Club by three wickets. No.72 All Stars were bowled out for 73. Trishan Ramdass 18 top-scored for No.72 while Totaram Rajaram (5 for 8, Sherwin Murray (3 for 31) and Claude Felix (2 for 11) were the best bowlers for Skeldon.

In reply, Skeldon struggled to 75 for 7 in 13.1 overs as Murray returned with the bat to score 29 while Pradeep Guben claimed 4 for 13 in a losing cause.

In the final, No.48 Challengers Cricket Club blasted their way to 187 for 6 off their allotted 20 overs as Balram Persaud struck 43 not out, Terrence Budhoo 39 and Balram Samaroo 38. Junior Blair was the successful bowler for Skeldon Super Kings Cricket Club with 3 for 19.

Skeldon Super Kings in response were bowled out for 112 in 15.3 overs. Zakeel Gordon fought a lone battle with 30 as Totaram Persaud bowled a tight spell with his left-arm spin to claim 4 for

11. At the impressive ceremony after the final, Lakeram Latchman of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association hailed the rebirth of Berbice and Upper Corentyne Cricket under the leadership of Hilbert Foster.

Latchman noted that Foster has brought a no-nonsense attitude and tireless work ethics to cricket leadership in Berbice. He told the audience that the BCB president has a policy of visiting matches in the Upper Corentyne area and most importantly is always available to listen to advice.

Foster hailed the festive atmosphere at the beautiful No. 72 Ground, with trees surrounding the entire venue. Cricket in Upper Corentyne, he stated would not be the same again as the BCB would continue to invest heavily in the area not only in tournaments but in off-the-field programmes.

He pledged to take major matches to venues in the Sub-Zone but cautioned clubs that discipline would be the cornerstone of the BCB. Special thanks were expressed to Mr Frank Sanichara, CEO of Sueria Manufacturing for his sponsorship and also to the management of the No. 72 Cut and Load cricket ground for hosting the final.

.The winners, runners-up and man-of-the-final received financial incentives and trophies. The three other finals for teams in Lower Corentyne, New Amsterdam/Canje and West Berbice would be held before the four Sub-Zones Champions battle for the overall Berbice Championship.