NEW Amsterdam/Canje/East Bank defeated West Berbice by 49 runs last Saturday and put their hands on the first edition of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)-sponsored JZ Mohamed Inter-Zone Under-15 cricket tournament. At the Albion Sports Complex, West Berbice won the toss and inserted the New Amsterdam/Canje/East Bank team to bat first.
However, they were reduced to 33-3, losing Ricardo Ramdeholl (6), Carl Gilgeous (5) and Jarron France (16). But Aaron Beharry and Leon Swamy joined forces and put together a good partnership of 48 for the fourth wicket before Beharry went for 10.
Swamy stayed the course and rallied with the tail until he went for 32. He got support from Nicolas Haywood, who made an unbeaten 18.
New Amsterdam/Canje/East Bank eventually made 147-7 off their allotted 50 overs. Shahid Baksh, Nigel Deodat and Marvan Prasad all took two wickets apiece.
In reply, West Berbice lost wickets on a regular basis, and were skittled out for 98 in 33 overs.
Only Seon Glasgow, who top-scored with 35 and Deodat 16, reached double figures.
Man-of-the-Match Nikeem Noble, the best bowler for the winning team, ended with 4-16, while Beharry had 3-25 and Schultz 2-18.
At the presentation ceremony, BCB representative Dhiriendranuth Somwaru thanked the Blairmont Cricket Club, Upper Corentyne Cricket Association, Young Warriors Cricket Club and the sponsor (Jameel Mohamed) for their support.
Mohamed said that he was pleased with the way the tournament was run and assured that next year will be bigger and better.