GCC won the toss and scored a healthy 60 for the loss of Johnson’s wicket from their five overs the returned to reduce GNIC to 51-4 in reply to cart off the Ansa Mc Al’s Carib Beer trophy and $100,000 first prize that came with it, leaving their opponents to settle for the second place prize of $50,000 and trophy.

After watching their opposition send Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) packing in their semifinal match up, GCC then sent home the home team in their semi final clash to set up the final with one of the lesser rated teams in Georgetown’s cricketing fraternity.

Johnson struck four fours in his top score of 28 before he was bowled by Keith Fraser (1-5) who is well known for his goalkeeping skills, but not before he had posted 42 for the first wicket with Treon Forde who struck one six in his unbeaten 20..

When GNIC began their reply, they lost inspirational opener Chien Gittens to the first ball of their innings, bowled by Gavin Singh and despite Fraser (16 2×4) and David Dick (14; 1×4, 1×6) adding 30 for the second wicket, it was not good enough as the Chanderpaul Drive based club romped to a nine run victory.

Earlier in the day, GCC, DCC,GNIC and MSC recorded convincing victories over their first round opponents Police, Transport Sports Club (TSC), Superstars and Combined Six respectively to advance to the semi finals of the one day festival.

In the first match of the day, DCC inclusive of national all rounder Christopher Barnwell and pugnacious opener Andrew Lyght Jnr sent TSC to the side lines to watch the remainder of the day’s proceedings, as they romped to a three wicket victory.

TSC won the toss and in hazy conditions took first strike but found the going rough against the bowling of Leroy Bristol who took 2-2, but managed to reach 67-4 from their five overs, thanks to Travis Blyden’s top score of 20 which included two maximums.

Despite losing the wicket of Barnwell, who was invited to the West Indies training camp for the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy tournament scheduled for South Africa next month for seven, discarded national wicketkeeper/batsman Darwin Christian 23 (3×6) and Lyght 17 (1×6; 1×4) saw their team home without much of a bother, as they ended on 70-3 from 4.3 overs.

MSC took to the field and opting to take first strike in their game against a Combined Sixes team, scored 83 for the loss of Ferrier’s (14; 1×12) wicket, with Jacobs (37* 4×4; 2×6)and Cush 19 (2×4; 1×6) posting an unbeaten 62 for the second wicket from  three overs.

Former national Under-15 skipper Kwame Crosse who had earlier dislodge Ferrier to end with 1-22, returned with the bat to hit three fours and one maximum coming from a reverse sweep off Damien Van Tull in his top score of 30 whilst adding 42 with Randy Lindore (22 2×6; 1×4), but it was not enough as Ferrier returned with the ball to claim 2-11 and along with Van Tull (1-18), saw their team into the semifinals.

GCC took care of Police, whilst GNIC sent the Superstars home with another clinical display of team cricket, something that was lacking from some of the big guns during the day’s proceedings.

In the semi finals, GNIC were asked to take first strike and they scored 65-3 from their five overs with Gittens 926, 2×4; 1×6), Dick (15, 1×4; 1×6) and Fraser (9) being the principal scorers against the bowling of Leroy Bristol (1-5) and Dennis Squires (1-16).

Amidst a bit of controversy, wherein the Queenstown based DCC were trying to get Bristol who had injured his left shoulder in the field replaced, GNIC kept their nerves and bowled out their opponents for 28 with Squires leading the way with 17 whilst Christian contributed 12 before he was the last man to be dismissed.

Fraser led the rout with 2-8 and received worthy support from Gittens, Jermaine Moe and Elton Baker who took a wicket each for 2, 9 and 9 respectively.

In the MSC/GCC encounter, GCC batted first and scored 70-3 from their 5 overs, with Forde hitting two maximums in his unbeaten 35 whilst Johnson struck two fours in his 16 and Yannick Grimes a four and six in his 11.

Former national Under-15 skipper Carlos La Rose took 1-7 for MSC who found the going tough in their reply, despite a belligerent 52 which included three sixes, two fours and a 12 from Jacobs who was later named the best batsman for the day’s activities.

Henry (2-17), Johnson (1-7) and Dellon Fernandes 1-20 did the damage with the ball for GCC, with Johnson being adjudged the best bowler of the day after claiming 4-9 from the three matches he contested for his team.

Photo caption: Watched by former national middle order batsmen Mark Harper 9left) and Neil Barry (right), Georgetown Cricket Club skipper Leon Johnson receives the Carib Beer trophy from a Carib Beer model. (Photo by Calvin Roberts)