NEW Opportunity Corps (NOC) secured an emphatic 91-run win against Reliance Hustlers to claim the South Essequibo Invitational T20 title.

Playing in front of a fair-size crowd last Sunday at the Imam Bacchus ground in Affiance, NOC won the toss and batted.

Solid partnerships by several of the batsmen who got starts contributed to the innings’ total of 159-7 from the allotted 20 overs – Orlando Jailall eventually top-scored with 37 (4×4) while David Williams gathered 30 (3×4) and 22 each from Romario Mahabir and former national Under-19 player, Tevin Imlach.

Off-Spinner Ramesh Narine claimed 2-24 from 4 overs to be his side’s best bowler. In reply, Reliance Hustlers never showed any resistance and eventually perished for 68 in the 17th over for a heavy defeat.

Only Ramesh Narine with 24 and Trevis Simon’s 15 delayed the inevitable. Left-arm leg-spinner Akenie Adams bowled superbly and was awarded with excellent figures of 4-19 from his 4 overs to demolish the opposition.

During the presentation ceremony, the NOC received the winners’ trophy and $70 000 while Reliance had to settle for $30 000 and a trophy as well. Akenie Adams claimed both the man-of-the-match and the bowler taking the most wickets in the finals prizes.

The best batsman prize went to Orlando Jailall as both players received trophies for their accomplishments. The monetary prizes were donated by the South Essequibo Cricket Committee while Imam Bacchus and Sons Limited donated trophies to the outstanding performers.

Officials, including organiser Ramnarine Ragoobar, were on hand to deliver brief remarks and make presentations to the teams. The tournament will now become an annual feature according to the official as he expressed thanks to the 32 teams who played in the competition spanning teams from the Essequibo Coast.

Meanwhile, the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) has released the fixtures for the commencement of the Inter-Committee Under-19 T20 knock-out tournament which will begin this Saturday, at the various venues and continue the next day Sunday.  

Leguan will play East Bank at the Number 1 ground from 09:30hrs in match 1 while Wakenaam will come up against South Essequibo in match 2 at the Reliance ground from 09:30hrs as well. In match 3 a President’s X1, featuring players from Bartica and Pomeroon Cricket Committee will battle against Central Essequibo at the Imam Bacchus ground from 09:30hrs.

North Essequibo drew the bye to the next round. During the same day from 13.00hrs in match 4, North Essequibo will play the winner of match 1 at the Number 1 ground while in match 5, the winner of match 2 will play the winner of match 3 at the Imam Bacchus ground.

The final will then be contested on Sunday,  between the winner of match 4 and 5 at the Imam Bacchus ground from 10:00hrs

The ECB in a release is appealing to the public to witness the future stars of the game to provide their unequivocal support. Entrance to the matches is free. The winners will be provided with trophies, compliments of the ECB. (Elroy Stephney)