THE Rose Hall Town (RHT) Gizmos and Gadgets were crowned champions of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)-sponsored Skyy Vodka T/20 tournament last Sunday after they defeated Upper Corentyne by 64 runs, at the No. 69 ground.

The final was played in front of a massive, colourful crowd, as residents in the Upper Corentyne area came out to support their team’s first appearance in a BCB final in two decades.

Upper Corentyne won the toss and decided to bowl first. They reaped success in the first over when Junior Sinclair was bowled off the inside edge by Looknauth Roopchand without scoring, at 5-1.

Kevin Sinclair and Kevlon Anderson then added 40 for the second wicket before Sinclair was caught at short mid-wicket to off-spinner Devendra Budhoo for 22. Anderson top-scored with 35 (3×4) and received support from Eon Hooper 31, Vidal Crandon 25 and Keon Sinclair 13 thereafter.

RHT Gizmos & Gadgets reached 165-8 from their allotted 20 overs. O. Khemraj and Devendra Budhoo took two wickets for 44 and 17 runs respectively.

In the run chase, Upper Corentyne lost Devin Baldeo, run-out for one in the third over, at 9-1 before Hooper trapped Terrence Budhoo lbw without scoring, at 13-2.

Pacer Keon Sinclair then bowled Upper Corentyne’s best batsman Rishi Persaud for 16 to leave the home team at 25-3, after five overs. They never recovered from that position with only L. Roopchand and Devindra Chatterpaul reaching double figures with 12 and 15 not out respectively. The home team were eventually bowled out for 101 runs from 19.2 overs.

RHT Gizmos & Gadgets skipper and former Under-19 leg-spinner Shawn Pereira bowled well to claim 4-20, while Eon Hooper, who was named man-of-the-final, took 2-22.

Meanwhile, Albion Community Centre earlier in the day had defeated Skeldon cricket team by 12 runs to clinch the third place prize, as the BCB successfully completed its 11th cricket tournament in less than three months.

President of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, expressed delight at the massive turnout of residents. Foster told the presentation audience that cricket is being played in every village and township in Berbice.

He expressed gratitude to Ansa McAl for its sponsorship, the authorities of No. 69 Vikings ground for hosting the final and the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association for its hard work.