Joseph, player of the match, as South Rumiveldt retain title
A PLAYER-of-the-match performance from Jocell Joseph guided defending champions South Ruimveldt Secondary to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Friendship Secondary in the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) zone final of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) female Under-19 Inter-Secondary School’s tournament yesterday. Winning the toss and opting to take first strike in the encounter that was played at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, Friendship must have regretted making such a decision, as they were bowled out for 82 from 22.1 overs.
Extras top-scored with 29 inclusive of 24 wides and, along with skipper Pernella London’s 23 which included three fours and Tatiana Marshall 11 (1×4), led their team’s rearguard action against the bowling of Joseph who took 4-22 and received support from Lashaunna Toussaint and Shanika Estwick with two wickets each for 6 and 21 runs respectively.
When the defending champions took the crease, they got a vibrant 44-run first-wicket partnership between Joseph who led their batting with 40 which was decorated with four fours and Sheina Boodhoo who made 12 (1×4), from just eight overs.
Letitia Myles, who struck back-to-back boundaries off London in her 12, was there at the end with her skipper Toussaint, who was unbeaten on 5, as South reached 83-2 from 12 overs, even though Angela Lallbachan took 2-15 from her three overs for Friendship Secondary.
With the win, South Ruimveldt earned themselves a trip to Wakenaam next Wednesday, where they will play the Essequibo zone champions, leaving Friendship to battle the Berbice zone champions at DCC on the same day.
Guyana and West Indies Under-19 opener Trevon Griffith and national all-rounder Christopher Barnwell assisted with the presentation of prizes at the end of the match, but not before Robert ‘Pacer’ Adonis congratulated both teams on reaching the final in the tournament.