New Amsterdam/Canje entered the final of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Poonai’s Pharmacy Under-13 2009 Inter-Zone Cricket Competition after gaining first innings points against their opponents in the semi-final on Monday at the Blairmont Community Development Centre Ground.
Led firstly by opening pacer Niall Smith, New Amsterdam/Canje dismissed West Berbice for a paltry 56 and then took the crucial first innings points from West Berbice compliments of a Leon Andrews half century.
New Amsterdam/Canje will meet Upper Corentyne in the final of the competition tomorrow at the Rose Hall Town ground.
In the match, West Berbice won the toss and chose to bat first and immediately found themselves in trouble with two wickets down without a run on the scoreboard.
Doing the damage were the two opening pacers, Smith and Ramesh Seenarine.
The introduction of spin caused even more problems as Andrews picked up two wickets and Kierre Henry, one to leave West Berbice tottering on 17-5.
Derrick Lalsa (Jnr.) and Grisean Grant tried their utmost to revive West Berbice from the almost crippling position with a partnership of 29 before Smith, who took three wickets in his second spell and off spinner Quacy Mickle, who chipped in with two wickets cleaned up the bottom order.
Lalsa made 35 and Grant 13.
Eight West Berbice batsmen failed to get off the mark.
Smith finished with 4 – 9, Andrews (2 – 4) and Mickle (2 – 6).
In reply openers Leon Andrews and Gary Millington took their team past the opposition’s first innings score before the first wicket fell with the score on 80.
Lalsa Jnr. then removed both Millington and Andrews for 15 and 50 runs respectively to leave NA-Canje on 95-2.
Quacy Mickle made a stylish 33 before he was dismissed.
After 60 overs N/A-Canje were 143-5 when the game was declared a draw and was called off.
