An innings of 80 by skipper Quacy Mc Pherson led West Berbice to a five-wicket victory over New Amsterdam/Canje at the Port Mourant Cricket Ground as the 2011 Berbice Cricket Board/Republic Bank Under-17 Inter-zone Cricket Competition commenced on Sunday.
The victory placed West Berbice in the final while tournament favourites, Lower Corentyne, defeated Upper Corentyne by 123 runs to reach the semifinals.
They will now play Central Corentyne for a place in the final.At the Area “H” Ground in Rose Hall Town, Lower Corentyne scored 271 for 6 off their allotted 50-overs.
Openers Nicholas Cameron (41) and Madan Budhram (54) put on 115 in 20-overs while Rohan Harripersaud ended unbeaten on 68 not. In reply, Ashley Homraj contributed 21, Devindra Budhoo 26, Akash Persaud 25 and Sean Persaud 14.
National under-19 left arm spinner Gudakesh Motie Kanhai claimed 4 wickets for 19 runs and off-spinner Shailendra Shameer 3 wickets for 20 runs.
At the Port Mourant Ground, New Amsterdam/Canje, batting first New Amsterdam/Canje, 35 for 3 at one stage, rallied to 161 all out with Shimron Hetimyer making 58.
Joshua Giddings supported with 27 and Marlon Shepherd 15. Bowling for West Berbice, Thomas Mc Donald took 2 for 32, Brian Nurse 2 for 31 and Parmanand Ramdhan 2 for 28.
West Berbice reached their target in just 28 overs. with Quacy Mc Pherson hitting 80. He received support from R. Ramjohn 22 and opener Nick Ramsaroop 20. National Under-15 pacer Nial Smith took 2 wickets for 42 runs while off-spinner Leon Andrews took 2 for 42 from 9 overs. BCB Public Relations Officer Hilbert Foster said that the Competitions Committee of the BCB will shortly set the date for the semifinals and final. He added that the Junior Selection Committee headed by Leslie Solomon will select the Berbice team at the end of the tournament for the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board Inter-county Under-17 tournament. Foster also expressed gratitude to Republic Bank (Guy) Ltd for their continued investment in Berbice cricket.
