By Marlon Munroe
A fluent unbeaten 99 from Narsingh Deonarine and miserly bowling from Devendra Bishoo of Albion conspired to cause the quick demise of the Rose Hall Town Windies Sports Bar (RHTWSB) in the final of the Neal and Massy 40-over first division tournament.
RHTWSB were routed for a paltry 93 in 29.4 overs chasing 202 for victory after Bishoo snared six wickets for 10 runs from seven overs that included two maidens. Earlier, when Albion won the toss and batted Deonarine, who was later named Man-of-the-match, scored 99 from 102 balls- a score which added respectability to an otherwise dreary scorecard.
Extras contributed the next highest score of 25 to add to the scores of Harrinarine Chattergoon who made 18 and Jonathan Foo 17. Albion made 201-7 with RHTWSB’s captain and opening bowler Esaun Crandon being the top bowler with 2-34 from eight overs.
Meanwhile, Deonarine continued where he left of in the semi final but yesterday’s knock was more sobering especially since his team was in dire straits. He held the middle order together after the first two wickets went for 20 runs.
His innings was well paced and he featured in subsequent partnerships until he brought up another half century, which included three fours from 64 balls, in the tournament to complement his rich form throughout. Despite not making it to three figures his knock was significant especially after the captain Orvin Mangru stated that it made a difference.
Deonarine’s 99 included six boundaries and two sixes. At the bottom of the order he had some support from Foo until Albion closed shop on 201-7. Royston Crandon, Assad Fudadin, Ravi Narine and Michael Cummings supported their main bowler with one wicket apiece.
When RHTWSB started their reply under lights and overcast conditions at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, they lost their openers Delbert Hick (14) and Renrick Batson (1) when the team had 20 on the tins. But captain Fudadin initiated reconciliation with Khemraj Mahadeo but it was ephemeral after Mahadeo was trapped lbw for 20 (2×4) from 35 balls by Ranga Latchana when the score was 62.
Fudadin went four runs later when he was caught by Veerasammy Permaul to give Bishoo his first scalp for a fighting 24. After these two batsmen went wickets tumbled regularly as the batsmen found it hard to negotiate the spin of the left handed Bishoo.
Jason St. Clair (7) and his captain Crandon (0) went when the score was 75 and Royston Crandon was bowled by Bishoo for seven when the scoreboard read 79. Bishoo returned to take the wickets of Terrence Madramootoo (8) and Ravi Narine (0) when the score was 90 and then Permaul took the consolation wicket of Eon Hooper lbw for 4 when the score was 93.
Doodnauth Lallbeharry ended with figures of 4-0-17-2 while Permaul and Latchana ended with one wicket each.
