… BCB makes donation to clubs

THE Area  ground in Guyana’s smallest township came alive last Sunday when dozens of residents from communities located in the Berbice River turned up to witness the final of the 2nd annual Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/Berbice River Area T20 Cricket tournament.

Last year runners-up Sand Hills/Friendship easily defeated Ebini by 75 runs to lift the 2019 championship.

Sandhills won the toss elected to bat and reached 148 for 8 from their allotted 20 overs after recovering from a shaky position of 3 for 33 in the fifth over.

They lost Byron Lindee 6, Michael Caple 19 and Daniel Leacock 1, as medium pacer V. Totoram produced a penetrating opening spell of 4-1-23-3.

The eventual champions middle order batted well with Glendon Fredericks 28, Joshua Leacock 22, Brian King 21 not out and W. Caplie 23 chipping in well. Leacock and King added a crucial 43 for the 5th wicket.

The best bowlers for Sandhills were Peter Grant 3 for 20,Vijai Totoram 3 for 23 and M.Leacock 2 for 26.

Needing to score 149 of 120 balls to earn the BCB title, Ebini were never allowed to score freely as SandHills Friendship bowled a tight line and fielded superbly.

Opening fast bowler Jason Leacock and B. King bowled well to restrict the score to 33 for 2 in the 11th over. SandHills were eventually dismissed for 73 in 17.3 overs. D. Leacock 17, Skipper Ian Lyte 20 and Vijai Totaram 13 were the only batsmen to reach double figures.

1. King 2 for 14, Ryan DeNobrega 2 for 12, J. Leacock 2 for 17 and Daniel Leacock 2 for 10 were the champions’ best bowlers. Joshua Leacock was named Man-of-the-Final and received a trophy and a small water pitcher.

BCB president Hilbert Foster praised the positive atmosphere that the final was played in and stated that he was very impressed with the high level of talent on display.

The BCB boss brought the entire delegation of players, clubs officials and supporters from the riverine communities up to date on the current state of Berbice Cricket. As well as plans for the future and areas of assistance that clubs have benefitted from the BCB.

He expressed disappointment that a club in the area did not play in the tournament allegedly on the advice of a cricket official who has a history of not supporting his administration.

Foster told the visitors that he has no interest in cricket politics but rather in the overall development of the game and making sure that every cricketing talent is given the opportunity to develop.

Representatives of the clubs stated their displeasure of persons who have no linkage to their area, but are representing them at the BCB level and vowed to stop the situation.

The winning team and runners-up both received a financial prize and trophies. The BCB donated a 5-gallon water pitcher, a 3-gallon pitcher and a box of balls each to the two teams.

Foster also handed over anti-suicide posters, youth information booklets, exercise books and a large quantity of educational materials including pens, pencils, sharpeners to the clubs on behalf of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS (RHTY&SC).

The BCB will host both teams on November 23 in a special match at the Albion ground as part of its effort to assist in the development of the game in the riverine areas.

The tournament was sponsored by a West Berbice businessman who has several businesses in the Berbice River area.

The completion of the tournament fulfils the commitment of the active BCB to host cricket in all five sub-associations in Berbice – Berbice River, Upper Corentyne, Lower Corentyne, West Berbice and New Amsterdam/Canje.