Grill Master, Prophecy Boys, Hard Knock and Jai Hind advance to semis

THE Area ‘H’ Ground was filled to capacity and the sun was out in all of its glory while action on the cricket field was of the highest standard as the second round of the Kares Engineering/RHTYSC Patron’s Green Economy Tournament was played on Sunday.
Described as the most exciting cricket tournament ever hosted by the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, the event is being held in celebration of the Club’s Patron 72nd Birth Anniversary and to promote the country’s effort to develop a Green Economy. The tournament is also being used to educate youths on the effect of Climate Change.
On Sunday, four teams advanced to the semifinals of the biggest-ever cricket tournament in Berbice and have assured themselves a piece of the historic $1M prize package.

The teams who advanced were Jai Hind of Albion, Prophecy Boys of Port Mourant, Hard Knock of Manchester/Ulverston and Grill Master of Canje. In the first match of the action-packed day, Jai Hind defeated Letter Kenny by seven wickets. Letter Kenny amassed 68 for 8 off their allotted eight overs as only V. Narain and G. Narain 14 reached double figures. Andy Moonsammy claimed two wickets for eight runs for Jai Hind, who replied with 70 for 3 in 6.3 overs. Skipper Adrian Singh top-scored with an unbeaten 24 with two boundaries.
Tournament favourites Grill Master easily defeated Canje Pathfinder by 75 runs, as Vishal Phillips blasted an entertaining 83 not out from just 26 balls to lead his team to 118 for 1 from 8 overs. The left-handed Phillips struck eight massive sixes and four boundaries as he added 102 for the first wicket with Imran Kishawn who scored 23. Needing to score 119 off eight overs to clinch a semifinal spot, Letter Kenny could reach only 43 for 8 as Kishawn returned with the ball to take two wickets for no runs and skipper David Looknauth 2 for 3.

In the 3rd game, Prophecy Boys defeated a determined Shamie Grocery of Rose Hall Town by 13 runs. The visitors reached 118 for 4 with A. Marimoothoo 38 and N. Ramnauth 49 not out being the principal scorers. In response, Shamie Grocery reached 105 for 6 off their allotted eight overs as S. Thakurdin topscored with 40 while Mahendra Sewindra lent support with 21. Bowling for Prophecy Boys, Deonarine Itwaru claimed two wickets for 17.
Hard Knock created a major upset in the tournament by defeating Hustlers I by five wickets. Batting first the powerful Hustlers I team were restricted to 83 for 4 as the boys from Central Corentyne fielded brilliantly. Jason Sinclair top-scored with 28 while Khemraj Mahadeo supported with 16. In response, Hard Knock reached 86 for 5 with five balls to spare. P. Tyndall top-scored with 21 while N. Emanuel supported with 17.

In the only playoff match, Prophecy defeated Chasers of Canje by 13 runs to take the fourth semifinal spot. Prophecy scored 85 for 7 off eight overs before restricting Chasers to 72 for 5 to spark off wild celebration by their supporters. Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, Hilbert Foster described the day’s event as a huge success and stated that the club was thrilled at the massive success of the Kares Engineering Inc/Patron’s Green Economy Tournament.
Apart from the massive crown support, the standard of play was very high while the organising skills of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Cricket Development Committee has resulted in the well-organised tournament.
The discipline of the teams have also been the highlight of the tournament while the semifinals, 3rd place playoff and final have been scheduled for Sunday August 27, 2017, at the Area ‘H’ Ground.

The winning team would receive $500 000 and the Green Economy trophy while the first runners-up would receive $300 000. The 2nd runners-up would pocket $100 000, 3rd runners-up $50 000.
The tournament is being sponsored by Kares Engineering Inc., KSM Investment, S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies, BK International, Bakewell, Annirud Ramcharitar Construction, V NetCommunication, Regal Enterprise, Ameerally Sawmill, Farfan & Mendes, F & H Printery and Fazal Habibulla among others.