BCB/Tenelec Under-15 competition
A MAGNIFICENT all-round performance by Berbice Under-15 all-rounder Shawn Pereira led his team Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes (RHTFM) to the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/Tenelec-sponsored Under-15 crown, when they defeated Tucber Park on first innings in the final at the Area ‘H’ Ground last Sunday.

The victorious Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes Under-15 team strike a pose with their manager Moonish Singh (right) after defeating Tucber Park.

Batting first after losing the toss, RHTFM lost opener Collis Cort in the fourth over, when he was dismissed by fast bowler Judason Bess without scoring at 5-1, while pacer Orlando Tanner removed Jamal Brusche who was smartly caught by Nial Smith at point for 7 to leave the opposition on 13-2.

The in-form opener Nicholas Cameron (22) and the talented Pereira (20) then added 41 for the third wicket, before Pereira was bowled off the inside edge by off-spinner Andel De Jonge, after which both Cameron and Jamal Jarvis (3) fell quickly as Tucber Park fought back to reduce the home team to 65 for 5 in the 26th over.

Skipper Lloyden Lewis 62* (5×4, 1×6) who was playing his final Under-15 match and Lenny Sinclair (12) then added 30 runs for the sixth wicket, before De Jonge had Sinclair caught behind by Romario De Jonge for 12 as RHTFM went to lunch at 95 for 6.

After the interval, Neil Pike 46 (8×4) joined his captain at the crease and completely dominated the Tucber Park bowling attack as the pair added a crucial 80 for the seventh wicket, before Pike was dismissed in the 53rd over, caught off leg-spinner Kevin Pellew, attempting to hit his first six.

Twelve-year-old Daniel Lewis (3*) then joined his elder brother Lloyden and they added a further 26 runs to lead their team to 201-7 at the end of their allotted 60 overs, against the bowling of De Jonge who grabbed 4-36 for Tucber Park.

In reply, Tucber Park, chasing 202 for victory off their allotted first innings quota of 60 overs, had an opening stand of 20 between openers Jermaine Henry (20) and skipper Devindra Jainabi (10) before Pereira, who bowls leg-spin, had Jainabi caught by Pike at mid-wicket.

Romario De Jonge (10) joined the aggressive Henry and together they attempted to take the attack to the RHTFM spin duo of Pereira and Lewis, adding 25 from four overs, before Henry was brilliantly caught one-handed by Pike off Pereira.

From 45 for 2 in 13 overs, Tucber Park collapsed to 68 for 7 as the spinners spun webs around the batsmen who were afraid to use their feet, dismissing De Jonge, Randolph Davis (4), Totaram Deonarine (5), Nial Smith (16) and Tanner (1).

Tucber Park eventually finished on 141 all out in 56.1 overs, with the aggressive Andel De Jonge completing a good match with an attractive 56, before he was stumped by wicketkeeper Collis Cort off Perreira who ended with 7-40 off 24 overs and Lewis took 2-40 from 19.

Public Relations Officer of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, at the presentation ceremony, praised both teams for playing a highly competitive yet friendly match and also challenged the players of the two finalists to remain focused and disciplined in the future.

On behalf of the BCB, he expressed gratitude to Bobby Deonarine and Tom Gruentzel and the Management of the Tenelec Inc, based in Washington DC, U.S.A, for their continued investment in cricket in the ancient county.

Tenelec Inc. investment is very crucial to the success of Berbice Cricket, Foster stated, as the Under-15 level is the nursery of the game. The victors received the winning prize of $30 000 and a trophy.

Tucber Park collected the runner-up package of $15 000. Pereira received a trophy and $5 000 after being named the man of the finals by Chairman of the National Junior Selection Committee Mr. Michael Hyles Franco.

In an invited comment, RHTFM captain Lloydel Lewis dedicated his team victory to Mrs June Mendes, Andrew Mendes and the Management of Farfan & Mendes for their continued sponsorship of the team since 1996.