Benn’s 5-for propels Officers into final against TSU

DESPITE Berbician Kedar Amsterdam’s entertaining 72, it was the 55 from Ronald Ali, and 5-14 from the versatile Troy Benn that propelled Officers to a 41-run victory over ‘B’ Division from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) in the second semi-final of the Commissioner of Police Inter- Branches and Divisions T20 cricket tournament.

The win, achieved in sweltering heat at the Eve Leary Ground on Friday, means that Officers will now face-off with the Tactical Services Unit on Wednesday in the final from 13:00hrs after the third-place play-off.

Region Six won the toss and chose to bowl on the fast and parched outfield led by Ronald Ali’s 55 runs off 44 balls, with six fours and three sixes, while Kwesi Gravesande contributed 44 off 37 balls, aided by two fours (4s) and three sixes.

Ivor Trots blasted a cameo 17 runs off five balls with two three boundaries, which included two sixes (4), as Officers made 168-9 off 20 Overs.
Irwin Barton had 3-28, Paul James 2-35, and Kareem Mentore took 2-31 for the ‘B’ Division side, which was dismissed for 127 off 18.5 overs.

Watched by a raucous gathering, Amsterdam played some glorious shots in his 72, which lasted 50 balls, and was decorated with four fours and five sixes, and kept the Cops from Berbice in the hunt, but once he was caught, only Travis Withright, with run-a-ball 26 runs with three fours and six, offered resistance before their ammunition ran out.

Troy Benn, who also wicket-keeps, followed up his 53 from the previous game, grabbing 5-14, while Ivor Trots supported with 2-31.
Trevor Benn, who toured with the Guyana First-Class team before being replaced by Christopher Barnwell without playing a match, bowled with lively pace, and took 1-4 in three miserly overs.