Demerara thrash defending champions Berbice

By Frederick Halley

AFTER failing to reach the final of the 2019 tournament, Demerara exacted revenge on defending champions, Berbice, when the fourth edition of the Dassie and Friends softball tournament climaxed at Keele Top, North York, Canada on Sunday.

Postponed because of a heavy downpour when the competition was first played in late August and with Berbice in the ascendancy, Demerara benefited from the replayed fixture, thrashing their opponents by a 10-wicket margin in a low-scoring affair.

Batting first, after the game was reduced to 12 overs because of threatening clouds, Berbice were shot out for a meagre 50 in their allotted overs. Demerara duly reached the required target in 5.4 overs with openers, Amit Rukhram and Avinash Sookdeo unbeaten on 21 and 20 respectively.

The left-handed Rukhram struck two fours and a six while Sookdeo, who enjoyed an extremely productive 2021, counted two fours and a six in an entertaining cameo.

Earlier, the Berbice innings were in ruins from the onset and they never recovered from a horrible start. Apart from Skipper Looknauth Ramsuchit who hit a topscore of 18, no other batter reached double figures and showed little inclination of permanency at the crease.

Sookdeo, who was later named as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the game, crowned a fine all-round performance, grabbing three for 10 from his three overs. He received admirable support from Sunil Ramkissoon (two for eight), Rukhram (one for nine) and Mahendranuth “Bobby”Parasnauth (one for 12).

Apart from copping the Trophy Stall (Canada) trophy, Demerara also took home $2500(Can) for their efforts while Berbice collected a trophy and the $500 (Can) runners-up prize. Players from both teams were also the recipients of medallions.

Skipper Rukhram collected a prize for registering the most runs in the tournament while Sookdeo claimed the leading wicket-taker trophy.

The 2019 final saw Berbice defeating Essequibo in the 20-over final on the back of a fine knock of 85 from Yadram “Lara” Bhoj which carried the Berbicians to a formidable 210 for three in their allotted overs. Essequibo were restricted to 138 for seven when their overs expired.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was put on hold in 2020.

At Sunday’s impressive presentation ceremony, organiser Damodar Daesrath, former Guyana captain, expressed sincere thanks to the several sponsors which included Ambico, JDG Tooling, Canadian Surplus Guyana, I&R Contracting Services, B-Boy Transportation Services, 24-Hours Glass System, Santa Maria Restaurant , Caribbean Lyme Restaurant , Jazzy Trading LTD, Dent Wizard, Stem CAM , One-Stop Auto Services, Lil Taste of Guyana, PGI & Platinum Cleaning Services , SJ Cleaning Services, Flourish Lashes, K Energy, T&S Enterprise LTD, Two Brothers Door Finishing, Yashi Sports and York Cricket Club, Mohan Contraction and Alarm Techz and Trophy Stall-Canada.