ROSE Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets have set up a mouthwatering clash with Young Warriors Cricket Club in the only semifinal of the Bobby Deonarine and Tom Gruntzel-sponsored Tenelec Inc. 2015 50 Overs round-robin First Division cricket competition.The RHT side beat Police by four wickets in a low-scoring encounter during the final playoff game.
The match which was fixed for the Edinburgh ground was switched to the Area ‘H’ ground at the last minute due to a sudden downpour in the East Bank, Berbice area, with the agreement of both teams and umpires.
Police won the toss and decided to take first strike in a game that was reduced to 36 overs a side and mustered 101 all out in 26.5 overs. Essequibo senior opener Norwayne Fredericks provided resistance with 27.
Bowling for the RHT Gizmos & Gadgets, pacer Keon Sinclair picked up 3 for 13 off 7 overs, Collis Butts 3 for 30 off 6.5 overs with Berbice senior pacer Clinton Pestano and Troy Mathieson each supporting with two wickets apiece.
Needing to score 102 from 36 overs on a tricky pitch due to late preparation, Rose Hall Town suffered an early setback with the sudden loss of Assad Fudadin caught at first slip off the first ball bowled by former Berbice pacer Michael Newland for no score.
However, Jason Sinclair then joined Vidal Crandon and together they put on 47 for the 2nd wicket before Crandon was trapped lbw by Kwesi Mickle for 15.
Sinclair also went by the same route for a well-played 35. Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets lost Renwick Batson (0) and Clinton Pestano (5) in quick succession to be shakily placed at 70 for 5 in the 19th over.
They were saved by level-headed batting by the experienced Rajiv Ivan (15) and Eon Hooper 12 who took the score to 93 before Hooper was bowled by Mickle. Ivan was unfortunately then struck in the eye from a sweep shot and retired hurt for 15.
Skipper Shawn Pereira 5 not out and Troy Mathieson 1 not out saw their team to victory and into the semifinals, fixed for Saturday October 17 at the Area ‘H’ ground.
Bowling for Police, off-spinners Andel Doris claimed 3 for 14 and Kwesi Mickle 2 for 26.
Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club selectors have named a strong 15-man squad for the semifinals. The squad would be led by Shawn Pereira with Clinton Pestano as his deputy. Collis Butts is the coach.
Full squad: Shawn Pereira (captain), Assad Fudadin, Vidal Crandon, Royston Crandon, Jason Sinclair, Rajiv Ivan, Clinton Pestano, Eon Hooper, Renwick Batson, Troy Mathieson, Collis Butts, Keon Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Keith Simpson and Junior Sinclair.
The winner of the semifinal will take on the invincible Albion on Sunday, October 27, 2015 (tentative) at a venue to be named.