DEFENDING champions Headquarters retained championship honours when the Commissioner of Police (COP) annual T20 knockout tournament, climaxed at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary on Friday.

Witnessed by Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken and other senior officers of the Force, Headquarters withstood the challenge of Officers in a close encounter to triumph by seven runs, thereby becoming the first team to win back-to-back titles since the tournament was introduced.

Set 151 for victory, after Headquarters were dismissed for 150 in 19.3 overs, Officers fell for 143 in the identical number of overs.
The in-form Kevon Boodie (39) and Pernel London (18) gave Headquarters a reasonable start of 59 but both openers lost their wickets at the same score, with Boodie hitting four fours and two fours in what turned out to be the top score.

Headquarters slipped to 103 for six but a vital seventh wicket partnership of 40 from Troy Leitch, who spanked two fours and an equal number of sixes in 34 and David Hickel (15) added some impetus to the innings.

Troy Benn finished with three for 20 from three overs, Bernard Bailey two for 20 from four and Stephen Harris two for 27 from 3.3.
Officers suffered an early setback when Benn departed with only 12 on the board but recovered admirably through a fine second wicket stand of 58 between skipper Ravindradat Budhram who stroked four fours in 31 and Stephen Harris whose 28 included two fours and two sixes.

National middle-order batsman, Kemol Savory, who promised much with a quickfire nine-ball 21, spiced with two fours and two sixes, flattered to deceive, becoming one of Khanaiya Ramkarran’s four scalps,
It was a tense tussle from thereon but with Boodie completing a fine all-round performance by grabbing three for 12 from 1.2 overs to “clean up” the tail, Officers hopes went abegging. Ramkarran, who was mainly responsible for the middle-order collapse, ended with four for 21 from his four overs.

Earlier, the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) chased down the challenging 197 with relative ease to claim the third place despite a brilliant century from Region 2’s Lance Roberts, the lone hundred in the tournament.

Collis Burnett dominated a fine opening stand of 86 with Alex Burnett, who contributed 16 while the former who hit a top score of 64 blasted four fours and an equal number of sixes.
National player, Anthony Adams, who batted at number three, also joined in the fun and was there at the end when victory was achieved, his unbeaten 53, laced with four fours and three sixes. He also added a valuable 46 for the fourth wicket with Ackim Welcome who hit 23 with two fours and two sixes. Reon Venture ended with two for 42.

Roberts had earlier given his team some hope with his blistering 109, which was decorated with five fours and nine huge sixes. Damion Vantull followed up with five fours and three sixes in his 54 but the eventual total proved inadequate. Garfield Moore was TSU’s best bowler with two for 29.

At the impressive presentation ceremony, which followed, the winners, runners-up and third place finishers were all recipient of trophies, cash incentives and medals. Apart from the support from the Guyana Police Force Administration, sponsorship was once again received from GR Builders.GY and Contact Printery.

Prizes were also awarded to Boodie for the being the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the final and the best batsman on the winning team; Ramkarran – best bowler, Vantull – the overall MVP for scoring 236 runs and taking eight wickets and Roberts for registering the lone century in the tournament.