By Colin Bynoe Jr

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) partnered with the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) to run off a well-organized 100-ball cricket tournament in the Upper Corentyne area which saw No. 72 All Stars being victorious in the finals at the No. 72 “cut and load” ground on Sunday as they humbled Dukestown by 45 runs.

The game was watched by a fair gathering of spectators which included Guyana Jaguars and West Indies ‘B’ player, Anthony Bramble and General Manager (ag) of Guyana Chronicle, Miss Donna Todd, who was accompanied by other staffers. They were all well entertained.

In overcast conditions, the No. 72 “cut and load” ground, as it is called, was buzzing with excitement.
Due to overnight rains which affected the playing conditions to some degree, the umpires decided to reduce the number of balls to 84.

Dukestown won the toss and inserted No. 72 to take first strike. Opening batsman Ryan Ramdass rode his luck to belt an aggressive 43 not out off 20 deliveries; his knock was decorated with 4x6s and 2x4s.

Ramdass was put down three times by the Dukestown fielders who seem to be dropping catches at will.
Permeshwar Chatterpaul (21) assisted his team to a winning total of 103 when their 84 deliveries expired.

Jermain Reid, who collected 3-10 for Duketown, was the most economical bowler.
In between innings, spectators were vociferously making their predictions of a winner.
Dukestown took to the crease with a sense of confidence but that confidence was erased in a matter of two deliveries.

Pradeep Gobin, who took the new ball for No. 72 and bowling his left-arm swing from over the wicket, bowled a demoralizing first over.
Gobin prized out three wickets in the first over that went for one run. As a result, this sent his team’s supporters into frenzy.

Dukestown had no answers for No. 72 disciplined bowling as wickets fell ordinarily. They were eventually dismissed for 59 and fell short by 45 runs.

Acting General Manager of GNNL, Miss Donna Todd, speaking at the presentation, praised the winning team for their efforts while she offered words of encouragement to Dukestown.
Miss Todd implored the loosing team, “catches win matches and you dropped a lot today, so I encourage you to do some work on your fielding”.

At the presentation, staffers of GNNL presented Pradeep Gobin, who was adjudged player of the match, with cash and a trophy while his team received the winner’s trophy and cash incentives for their victory.