BCB/Diamond Fire finals

A brilliant all-round performance from national under-15 player Shailendra Shameer led Lower Corentyne to an easy 44-run victory over New Amsterdam/Canje and the   $50,000 victory in the Berbice Cricket Board(BCB)/Diamond Fire and General Insurance Company Inter-Zone Under-19 final last weekend.

The victorious Lower Corentyne team poses with the championship trophy.

The match was reduced to 40 overs after a heavy thunderstorm and rain washed out the entire first day on Saturday. Shameer scored a vital 25 in his team’s innings and then returned with the ball to take 3-21 with his off spin.

Batting first after losing the toss, Lower Corentyne eventually reached 151-8 in their allotted 40 overs. Sharmindra Hardyal, who made an unbeaten 28, Loyden Lewis (15) and Collis Cort (13 not-out) were the other principal scorers.

Bowling for New Amsterdam/Canje Teshna Harry took 2-19 off six overs, Joemal La Fleur 2-14 from eight overs and Romario De Jonge contributed with 2-38 from seven overs. In reply, New Amsterdam/Canje were given a strong opening partnership of 45 in twelve overs by Shimron Hetmyer and Mortimer Fraser but were dismissed for 107 all out in the 35th over.  Shameer’s 3-21, Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai’s 3-20 and Loydel Lewis’ 2-15 were the chief wicket takers in the win for Lower Corentyne. When the team batted openers Harrinarine Chattergoon and Kandasammy Surujnarine put on 24 before Chattergoon was caught behind off pacer Harry for seven. It soon became 26 for 2 when Surujnarine was also dismissed by Harry for nine.

National under-19 player Dominic Rickhi and former national under-15 batsman Clinton Pestano added 40 for the third wicket when Rickhi was caught at cover off the bowling of off-spinner La Fleur; Pestano was then bowled by Kelvin Leitch for an aggressive 30.

New Amsterdam/Canje were given a strong opening stand by Hetmyer and Fraser before Hetmyer was brilliantly caught by Cort off leg arm-spinner Motie-Kanhai at long off for 20. Leitch departed soon after to Motie-Kanhai without scoring at 56-2.

Fraser in trying to hit off-spinner Lewis out of the ground was caught with one hand by a leaping Rickhi at long on for 32 (2×6). Wickets fell regularly and at one point New Amsterdam/Canje were 89-5 in the 30th over. They never recovered despite a fighting 26 from skipper La Fleur.

At the presentation ceremony after the match, Public Relations Officer of the BCB Hilbert Foster praised the sponsors Diamond Fire and General Insurance Company. He also noted that the Company’s investment in Berbice’s cricket assisted the Board to unearth several exciting talents for the future. Fraser, Harry and Hetmyer were singled out for their talent.

Acting President of BCB David Black praised both teams for the discipline displayed during the final and for the high standard of play on the field. Black said he was pleased with the talent in Berbice cricket and was confident that Berbice would
continue to dominate all levels of cricket in Guyana. He also extended gratitude to sponsors for their investment.

The winning team received $50,000 and a trophy, the runner up $30,000 and the player of the match received a trophy and $5,000. The match was held at the Albion Community Centre.