DESPITE a last-minute ban of the Nationally contracted players from participating in the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB) Beacon Foundation 20/20 Cricket Tournament, it was deemed a success by the organisers.

Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets First Division Team easily defeated arch-rivals, Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, by five wickets to lift the championship trophy.

 Earlier in the day, Rose Hall had defeated Young Warriors Cricket Club in the lone semi-final as Albion Community Centre drew a bye into the final. 

Playing under good weather conditions and a fair sized crowd, Young Warriors won the toss and batted first in the first semi-final.

They totalled 103 for 8 from their 20 overs with former National Under-19 player, Linden Austin, top scoring with a polished 30, which included two boundaries.

 Skipper Seon Hetmyer supported with 16 while extras contributed a vital 14. Bowling for Rose Hall, National Under-15 player, Jonathan Rampersaud, took 3 for 10 with his off-spinn while skipper Shawn Pereira had 2 for 13. Keon Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall, Junior Sinclair and Keith Simpson took a wicket each.

Rose Hall, in reply, lost opener Junior Sinclair for 8 at 11 for 1 in the third over but the elegant Surendra Kissoonlall top scored with 36 and received support from Jason Sinclair (16) and skipper Pereira (12 not out) to see his side to a two-wicket victory. Linden Austin with 4 for 23 and Seon Hetmyer (2 for 21) were the pick of the Young Warriors’ bowlers.

In the much-anticipated final, Albion won the toss and managed 112 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Sharaz Ramcharran top scored with 38. Adrian Sukwah added 16 and Antonio February was left not out on 18 while Keith Simpson snared 3 for 10 for Rose Hall.

 Needing 113 for victory, the visitors got a solid 35-run opening partnership from veteran Delbert Hicks and Junior Sinclair before the latter was trapped LBW by left arm spinner Gourav Ramesh for 18 in the fifth over. Hicks batted well to score 30 before he fell LBW to Rajiv Ivan. Surendra Kissoonlall (10), Jason Sinclair (10) and Keith Simpson with 23 not out saw their team to 114 for 5 off 18.1 overs.

Simpson was named Man of the Final for his brilliant all-round performance. Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets pocketed $100,000 while Albion received the runner-up prize of $50,000, which both teams immediately donated to the Beacon Foundation.

BCB President Hilbert Foster stated that his Board was pleased to be associated with the fight against cancer and pledged his cooperation in the future. He also congratulated the Beacon Foundation for the outstanding work it was doing across Berbice to assist persons suffering from cancer.

 The Chairman of Beacon Foundation, Patrick De Groot, hailed the great cooperation his organisation received from the BCB and sponsors such as Poonai’s Pharmacy, BK International, Ansa McAl, Jus’ Water, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and Guysuco, among others.