…Troy Benn (105) pulverises GFS bowlers

DEFENDING champions Guyana Police Force (GPF) and last year’s runners-up Guyana Defence Force (GDF) registered contrasting victories to cement their places in the final of this year’s Commander-in-chief T20 tournament when the final round of preliminary matches took place at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary on Tuesday.

Led by a brilliant 105 from opener Troy Benn, Police Officers made light work of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), whipping them by the huge margin of 212 runs while the GDF continued their unbeaten run with a cliffhanger eight-wicket win with one ball to spare over the obdurate Guyana Prison Service (GPS).

Benn, who had several starts in the tournament but failed to capitalise, simply pulverised the hapless GFS bowlers to all parts of the ground, blasting 15 fours and four sixes in his knock which saw him reaching the coveted century off a mere 44 balls.
The stocky right-hander shared an opening stand of 66 with his skipper Ravindradath Budhram (20) before dominating a second wicket partnership of 83 with Ronald Ali.
Benn’s departure in the 13th over paved the way for Ali’s aggressiveness as the left-hander went on to hit a fluent 42 with two fours and two sixes.

There was no respite for the nine-man GFS attack as Steven Harris also joined the party, slamming five fours and four sixes in 56, his second consecutive half century of the tournament as the GFS bowlers wilted in the afternoon sun.
GFS were never up to the task and were dismissed for a paltry 49 as Trevor Benn, (three for 15), Ivor Trotz (two for eight) and Harris (two for 13) shared in the spoils.

The Guyana Prison Service, who still had an outside chance of qualifying for the final, providing they could have defeated the GDF by a wide margin, fought tooth and nail with their opponents but in the end failed to get over the line in a nail-biter.
GDF skipper Rockael Reddy, who has been the most consistent batsman in the tournament, once again came to the fore when it seemed that GPS would have provided a huge upset.
Set 161 for victory, after GPS had reached a respectable 160 for six in their allotted 20 overs, opener Reddy stood tall in his crucial unbeaten 75, spiced with five fours and two sixes. He was ably supported by Randy Wade who’s 53 was decorated with five fours and a six, the two sharing a crucial second wicket partnership of 118 following the early loss of Hakeem David with just six runs on the board.

Earlier, the GPS were indebted to a fine knock of 58, with four fours and an equal number of sixes from opener T. Peters and 42 (five fours and four sixes) from R. Phil as they reached their challenging total. Wade completed a fine all-round performance, claiming two for 27.
The third place playoff, featuring the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service is set for the same venue on Friday, starting at 13:00 hours while the final between archrivals Guyana Police Force and Guyana Defence Force will also be played the following day , staring at 11:00 hours at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary.

Commander-in-Chief and President, Dr Irfaan Ai, under who’s auspices the tournament is being held, is slated to be in attendance. (Frederick Halley)