Rose Hall Town storms to Leslie Amsterdam U17 Memorial title

Batting first after winning the toss, Albion’s openers Surujnarine Kandasammy and Sachin Dhaniram put on 15 before Rickey dismissed Dhaniram for five.

Kandasammy and number three batsman Shailendra Hardyal added 37 before Hardyal was caught behind 16.

Subsequently, the team lost wickets at regular intervals and were routed for 97 off 45 of their allotted 60 overs.

Rajendra Dasrat batting at number seven scored 15 but received no assistance from the tail enders who crumbled under the RHTB bowling attack.

Off-spinners Rickey (4-28 from 14 overs) and Lloyden Lewis 3-22 (11) led the bowling while pacer Kellon Sinclair, Shemaine Campbell and leg spinner Shawn Perreira supported with one wicket each.

Needing to score 98 runs off 60 overs to secure the title, RHTB were given a 32-run opening partnership between Rickey and Sinclair before Sinclair smashed a full toss from leg spinner Avinash Wajib to Dasrat at deep mid wicket to depart for 23.

Perreira, batting at number four and Rickey, then added 40 runs to calm the nerves of the RHTB players.

Lewis, 17 not out with two boundaries subsequently took RHTB to victory along with Surendra Kissoonlall as RHTB ended on 102-4.

Wajib captured 3-38 off 13 overs.

RHTYSC has now won the last three youth tournaments staged by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB).

The match was switched to the Port Mourant Ground after the BCB agreed to a request from Albion for a neutral venue.

The tournament was organised by the BCB in memory of the late Leslie Amsterdam former BCB president and national opening batsman.

At the presentation ceremony treasurer of the BCB, Anil Beharry praised the teams for reaching the final and for playing a very competitive match. He also expressed his delight at the large crowd which attended the final. BCB vice-president, David Black, spoke of the value of discipline, hard work and focus to the young cricketers while urging them to take advantage of the numerous tournaments organised by the BCB to develop the game.

He disclosed that in 2010, young cricketers would be the focus of his board as they would be invested in for the future. Secretary of the BCB, Angela Haniff traced the career of the late Amsterdam for the youths and described the late administrator as “a cricketing hero” of the county of Berbice. She challenged the players of both teams to follow in Amsterdam’s footsteps and to follow his theme of hard work and commitment. As part of the BCB’s self development programme, both captains spoke at the presentation ceremony with Permaul congratulating RHT for winning the title while calling on his teammates to lift their standards.

The winning team’s captain, Rickey expressed his delight at his clubs domination of Berbice youth cricket stating that it was the reward of hard work and dedication. They dedicated the team victory to the Management of Bakewell, their sponsor.