By Royston Alkins
Shemaine Campbelle stroked an even century (100) from 138 balls to lead Berbice to a 75-run victory over Demerara to claim their fourth successive Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) female Inter-county One Day title at the Georgetown Cricket Club Ground, Bourda, yesterday.
Berbice won the toss and batted first in cool conditions racking up 216 for 6 from their allotted 50 overs.
Campbelle got support from Katana Mentore who made a patient 54 from 115 balls. The two batted sensibly putting on 151 for the third wicket to set up a strong total. Opener Melanie Mentore was the only other batter to reach double figures while extras contributed 34, 33 of which were wides.
Hema Singh, with figures of 2 for 34 from nine overs was the main wicket-taker for Demerara while a wicket went to Mandy Mangru (1-32), Haseena Mohamed (1-27) and Keisha Schultz (1-43).
Demerara, in reply, reached 139 for 9 from their 50 overs with former West Indian opener June Ann Ogle top scoring with 40 from 104 balls. She got support from teenager Mandy Mangru, who made 24 from 79 deliveries. The only other batter to make it into double figures was the skipper Akeaze Thompson who scored 18 from 52 balls.
Berbice, who had three West Indies fast bowlers in their lineup, stifled the Demerara batters. Talented off spinner Plaffina Millington grabbed 2 for 14 from 10 tidy overs while Erva Giddings 1-27 from six overs, Sheneta Grimmond 1-13 from seven overs and Shabaka Gajnabi 1 for 28 from seven overs all supported Millington.
Berbice skipper Campbelle was adjudged both player of the match and player of the competition for her match winning century.
Speaking after the match Campbelle said: It was a good opportunity for the girls to come out and win this, our fourth Female Inter County Championship so I’m obviously happy about it.
The West Indies player added: I’ve been working on my batting and I know they are a few areas I need to improve in so I’m just working on those areas.
Campbelle, when asked about how to move female cricket forward in Guyana, indicated that the girls should be given more opportunities to express themselves at the various levels to improve their game. She also indicated that she does harbor aspirations to move her talents abroad to also aid in improving her game.
Losing skipper Thompson said that her team needed more partnerships and simply didn’t bat well enough. Thompson who is the National Vice caption indicated that she is looking to take her bowling form into the Female West Indies limited overs tournament beginning April 20.
Chairman of selectors Rayon Griffith speaking at the conclusion of the tournament said: Today was the match I was looking for since both teams batted 50 overs.
Griffith said that a core of girls will now be shortlisted for preparation of the Female West Indies One Day Cup.
