A MAGNIFICENT all-round performance by Guyana and West Indies player Devendra Bishoo saw defending champions Albion Community Centre Cricket Club snatch victory from the jaws of defeat over arch rivals Port Mourant Cricket Club with one delivery to spare in a gripping encounter of the annual Balram Shane Memorial 50 overs cricket match which was played last Sunday at the Albion Community Centre ground in front of a sizeable crowd.

In a typical belligerent fashion Albion refused to give up and fought back brilliantly, led by Bishoo’s outstanding century, to win by a cliffhanger, scoring 234-9 in 49.5 overs in reply to Port Mourant’s challenging 232-9 in their allotment of overs.
Port Mourant won the toss and took first strike on the flat track and compiled their challenging total through consistent batting from Davendra Takurdeen 58 (8×4), Ameer Khan 47 (3×4), Troy Gonsalves 37 (2×6, 2×4), Andrew Lyght Jr. 18 (3×4), Arif Chan 16 and Renwick Batson 15, Parsram Tilkuram 12 and Joshua Ramsammy 11 being the principal scorers.
Bowling for Albion, Balchand Baldeo picked up 3-40 while there was one apiece for Bishoo, Avenash Wajib, Sharaz Ramcharran, Satesh Dwarka and Jonothan Foo.
Albion were off to a reasonable start with opener Sewnarine Chattergoon 30 (1×6, 3×4) and Kandasammy Surujnarine 18, putting together 47 for the first wicket. The home team then found themselves in dire straits at 77-5 and 136-7 before the Bishoo show. Entering the fray at 55-4 he blasted 128 with 15 fours.
Bishoo’s knock brought wild celebrations from the Albion camp as the dejected Port Mourant team and supporters pondered how they managed to lose a match that they actually thought they had wrapped up.
Bowling for Port Mourant leg-spinners Khan and Gonsalves caused early trouble as they rounded out fine all-round performances with figures of 3-46 and 3-55 respectively.
Bishoo received the man-of-the-match award along with the accolade for being the best batsman on show while teammate Baldeo, received the prize for being the best bowler.
Albion received the beautiful Balram Shane trophy, a hamper – compliments of Geddes Grant, along with cash incentives while Port Mourant were presented with cash by donor Deonarine Balram.
The Balram Shane Memorial match is played annually between the two teams in memory of Mr Balram Shane, a former cricketer and ardent cricket fan who hailed from the area. The rivalry started in 1998 and is used as a fundraising venture for both clubs and some other second division teams and other sporting organisations on the Corentyne.
At the closing ceremony which was chaired by Human Resources Manager of GuySuCo, Vemen Walters, organiser Deonarine Balram of the Balram Shane General Store at Rose Hall Corentyne congratulated both clubs for putting on an excellent show. He said it was the most exciting in the 14-year history of the competition.
Proceeds from the game will be divided equally between the two teams to assist them with their cricket development programmes.
Balram Deonarine said that a number of second division clubs and other organisations will also benefit from the proceeds of the game. These entities have been given tickets to sell and keep the proceeds from the ticket sales.
Over $500 000 will be split between the two clubs and other organisations.

(By Michael Khan)