Playing at the Bush Lot Farm in Central Corentyne, Latcha scored a brilliant 77 and then returned to take five wickets, leading his team to a comfortable 79-run victory over No. 71 Cricket Club in the match that was reduced to 35 overs due to early morning rain.
The eventual champs got up to 281 – 4 in their allotted overs then routed the opposition for 202 in 34.2 overs.
Kennard’s Memorial took first strike after winning the toss and they got off to a solid start, compliments of captain Thomas George and Latcha before George was bowled by leg spinner Navin Vincent for 23 with the score on 59.
Latcha and Mankarran Singh then added 67 runs for the second wicket partnership in 14 overs before Latcha was run out for 77 to take the score to 126 – 2 in the 22nd over then Singh followed when he was caught for 45.
Mangroo and Hemraj Mankarran put on a tremendous fourth wicket stand of 120 in 11 overs with Mangroo being unbeaten on 81 while Mankarran contributed a well played 36 before being removed from the crease.
No.71’s skipper, Mohamed was the best bowler in the lot taking two wickets for 61 runs off six overs.
Needing to score at eight runs per over for victory, the visitors were given a great start by openers Somdat Singh and Deodat Ramdat who put on 118 in 18 overs before the first wicket fell.
Singh played well for his 71 but the team had a collapse as the next three wickets fell for 14 runs, two of which fell to Latcha.
They never recovered and were eventually dismissed even as Ramdat played a wonderful innings of 65. Latcha’s five wickets fell for 45 runs while Somesh Mangroo supported with 2-40.
At the presentation ceremony, Senior Supervisor of Demerara Bank, Rose Hall Town Branch, Sharlene Sukhdeo in her brief remarks congratulated the BCB for organising a successful tournament and expressed her delight at enjoying a great final which attracted significant support from the general public.
She further stated that Demerara Bank is dedicated to the development of youths and in playing its part at being a responsible corporate body in Guyana.
BCB’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Hilbert Foster hailed both teams for reaching the final and contesting a good game.
He also noted the historic nature of the match as it was the first time that the Berbice Cricket Board had hosted a major final in the Central Corentyne area. He said that the presence of the large crowd indicated that the general public was once again showing interest in the game in Berbice.
The captain, Thomas George, expressed his team’s delight to be crowned champions, stating that the victory would inspire cricketers in the Central Corentyne area to greater heights.
Rajendra Latcha was named Man-of-the-Finals and received $5,000 and a trophy while the champions carted off $60,000 and the runner-up had to settle for $30,000.
