RHTYSC/Bakewell Naeem Nasir Memorial Tournament

THE 13th annual Naeem Nasir Memorial Tournament organised by the cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club was played on Sunday last at the Area H Ground and Underdogs Belvedere United fought hard the entire way to emerged champions in almost darkness.

Six teams played in the tournament – Rose Hall Bakewell, Skeldon Community Centre, Achievers, Belvedere, Guymine and Rose Hall Tigers.

The tournament was organised in memory of the founder of Bakewell, Naeem Nasir who died in 2012 after a profound illness and was totally sponsored by the popular bakery.

In the opening round which was played over ten overs per side, Guymine defeated Achievers by 30 runs, Belvedere United breezed past Skeldon Community Centre by nine wickets while Rose Hall Town Bakewell defeated their counterparts Rose Hall Tigers by 35 runs.

After a public draw, Guymine drew the bye to the finals while Rose Hall Bakewell and Belvedere United clashed in the semifinals.

The visitors won the toss and inserted the home team to bat first in the six overs match.

Rose Hall Town Bakewell chalked up 60 for 5 with guest player Omesh Mathura top scoring with 21 and Jonathan Rampersaud 12.

Belvedere United knocked off the required runs for the loss of one wicket with four balls remaining. Devindra Latchman was 32 not out when victory was achieved.

With light failing fast, the organisers were forced to reduce the finals to a five overs per side affair.

Belvedere won the toss again and invited Guymine to take first strike. Guymine led by an attacking 33 from national youth player Romario Ramdeholl was able to reach 71 for 3 from their allotted five overs. Marlon Shepherd supported with 29 as off spinner Leon Cecil took two wickets for sixteen runs from his one over.

Needing to score 72 runs from five overs to clinch their first ever tournament in the ancient county, Belvedere United was indebted to the informed Latchman who blasted two massive sixes and three fours in his score of 31 from only 12 balls.

They needed two runs from the final ball of the match and Leon Cecil struck Dishawn Crandon for a boundary to start wild celebrations by his teammates.

RHTYSC Secretary Hilbert Foster stated that the club was very pleased with the success of the tournament and he expressed thanks to the six teams for the role they played in the tribute to Mr Nasir.

Foster, the former President of the Berbice Cricket Board stated that the success of the club is closely tied to the support of Bakewell, who came on board as an official sponsor in 2000.

The relationship has resulted in over twelve Berbice championship at the under 17 and first division level.

The Rose Hall Town Bakewell teams has also produced over seventy-five players for Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies combined. Players produced include Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Kevin Sinclair, Kelvon Anderson, Ashkay Homraj, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneeta Grimmond, Dominic Rikhi and Shabaki Gajnabi.

The Rose Hall Town Bakewell teams over the last twenty five years have also successfully hosted over one thousand personal development programmes under the sub headings of charity, educational, social, community development and youth development.

The winning team Belvedere United took home one hundred thousand dollars and the Naeem Nasir Memorial trophy while the runner up and the third-place winner also received cash and trophies.

Man of the finals, Devindra Latchman also received a cash prize and trophy.

The day proceeding also included musical entertainment by a popular set and live ball by ball commentary by respected commentator Inderjeet Persaud.