The match, according to a press release from the board, was organised to signal one of the busiest years in cricket in Berbice with close to 20 tournaments scheduled from the under-13 up to the senior levels.
It was stated that heavy early morning rain had forced umpires to reduce the game from 40 overs to 30 overs. The Combined team batted first and compiled 136 for 7 off their allotted overs with Edinburgh’s Riad Ally stroking an attractive 35 (6×4), national under-19 player Seon Hetmyer 20, Krisendat Ramoo 15 and wicketkeeper Kwesi Mentore scoring an unbeaten 14.
Bowling for Corentyne, off-spinner Steven Latcha took three wickets for 16 runs off seven overs and teenage off spinner Eon Hooper returned figures of 2-21 off four overs. National medium pacer Esaun Crandon and off spinner Troy Mathieson took one wicket apiece.
Needing to score 137 to win, Corentyne were given a 27-run opening partnership from national opener Sewnarine Chattergoon (18) and his younger brother Harrinarine (13) before West Indies under-19 pacer Keon Joseph dismissed them both. National middle order batsman Royston Crandon (30), Devendra Bishoo (20 not out) and Eon Hooper (15) batted well before Corentyne reached 138-7 in the 29th over.
Offspinner Krisendat Ramoo in a highly impressive spell took 4-20 off his six overs, Joseph had 2-36 (6) and medium pacer Ally took 1-25.
Subsequently, chairman of the BCB Competition Committee Carl Moore said the event was a historic one since it was the first time that the East Bank of Berbice was hosting such an important match. He stated that this was an attempt by the Board to promote cricket in the rural areas and he praised the Edinburgh Cricket Club and fans for making the match a huge success.
Moore also urged all clubs to prepare for a hectic season. President Keith Foster expressed his Board’s delight at the support given by the Edinburgh community and noted that in 2010 more effort would be made to take the game into the rural areas.
The BCB, he said, is seeking to revive cricket in every area in the Ancient County. Foster explained that as part of the Board’s ‘Tribute to Heroes’ programme the season opener would be named after a Berbice Test player each year starting with John Trim in 2010 and Rohan Kanhai in 2011.
This, he said, was an effort by the institution to not only honour the greats but to make young cricketers knowledgeable about those who laid the foundation for Berbice cricket. The president challenged all Berbice cricketers and clubs to lift their standards in 2010 and to always strive for the highest level.
He expressed gratitude to the cricketers for taking part in the match especially the senior national players who are currently on break from the West Indies Cricket Board’s first class season.
