NEW Amsterdam’s St. Therese’s Primary School were crowned the new Champion of Champions in the ExxonMobil Guyana-powered Future Warriors Tapeball tournament for Primary Schools, capping off a dominant campaign with a dramatic six-wicket victory over Essequibo champions Charity Primary at the Everest Cricket Club on Saturday.
Chasing a daunting target of 79 in eight overs, St. Therese’s reached 81 for 4 in 7.2 overs, propelled by a blistering attack upfront.
Justin Southwell set the tone early with a quickfire 35 off just 17 balls, while Melroy Grant provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 19 off 10 balls.
Ravaldo Campbell was the pick of the bowlers for Charity Primary, taking 2 for 14 in his two overs, but his efforts were not enough to halt the Berbice side’s momentum.
Earlier in the match, Charity Primary mounted a breathtaking recovery after being reduced to a precarious 17 for 7 in 3.1 overs.
A disciplined opening spell from St. Therese’s Elijah Bhandan (3 for 12) and Jaden Lewis (2 for 21) shattered Charity’s top order before Adon Holmes executed one of the tournament’s finest counter-attacks.
Holmes smashed an unbeaten 47 off just 16 deliveries, featuring six maximums and two boundaries, pushing his side to a competitive 78 for 7 from their allotted eight overs.
Despite the loss in the final, Charity’s Holmes scooped up the tournament’s Most-Runs award after finishing with 68 total runs. St. Therese’s all-round hero Elijah Bhandan was named both Most Valuable Player and top wicket-taker, ending the campaign with three wickets and 23 runs.
With this title win, St. Therese’s Primary joins Huis T’ Dieren Primary (2024) and Cropper Primary (2025) on the roll of national champions. Adding to their triumphant day, the Berbice unit also scored a memorable victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors in a novelty match.
St. Therese’s path to the trophy began in emphatic fashion in Match One, where they secured a seven-wicket win over West Ruimveldt Primary.
Restricting West Ruimveldt to 46 for 7 in eight overs—thanks to tight spells from Melroy Grant (2 for 9) and Lomar Williams (2 for 10)—St. Therese’s overhauled the total in just 4.1 overs, finishing on 49 for 3.
Southwell led the charge again with an unbeaten 23, supported by Bhandan’s 17, while Ceon Rajkumar’s 16 remained the lone highlight for West Ruimveldt.
In Match Two, Charity Primary booked their final spot by edging past West Ruimveldt.
Charity posted a formidable 66 for 6 from their eight overs behind contributions from Holmes (21*) and Campbell (13), even as West Ruimveldt’s Vincent Farley (2 for 5) and Steven Orie (2 for 27) bowled smartly.
Despite conceding 24 extras, Charity defended the target comfortably as Troy Boston’s 2 for 12 helped restrict West Ruimveldt to 54 for 4 when their overs expired.
