An all-round performance from the talented David Latchaya led defending champions, Lower Corentyne to a comfortable 96 runs victory over New Amsterdam/Canje in the finals of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/ National Communica-tions Network (NCN) Under-15 Inter-zone Tournament at the Cumberland Ground, Canje.
According to a press release, the limited overs tournament saw Lower Corentyne batting first after winning the toss.
Skipper Sharaz Ramcharran cracked four boundaries on his way to and was provided with support from Latchaya 37, Arif Chan 19 and Daniel Lewis 15 not out as they reached 151 for 7 off their allotted 50-overs.
Chan and Ramcharran added a crucial 50-run 4th wicket partnership after the visitors lost Nicholas Cameron, R. Harripersaud and Brandon Prashad in the 9th over which left them on 26 for 3. Ramcharran and Latchaya then added another 52 for the 5th wicket. Bowling support for New Amsterdam/Canje came from Rodwell Henry who claimed 3 for 43 and Leon Andrews 2 for 43.
In reply, New Amsterdam/ Canje was never allowed to dominate and was soon in trouble when Andrews was run out for 0 and the talented Shimron Hetmyer was bowled by Yogindra Ramcharran for 9 to leave the home team wobbling at 9 for 2 in the 2nd over. Vice captain Hakeem Hinds played a lone fighting hand of 28 not out before the team fell short of their target. Latchaya returned with the ball to claim 3 wickets for 15 while L. Bishram took 2 for 70.
Public Relations Officer of the BCB, Hilbert Foster stated that the tournament was a huge success and expressed gratitude to Mohamed Sattaur, Faizal Jaffarally and NCN for their support of Berbice cricket.
He also disclosed that Central Corentyne played as a separate team this year, making the number of teams five as the BCB expanded on the pool of players available for Berbice selection.
The Berbice Under-15 Inter-county team was selected based on performance in this tournament and Tenelec Inc Under-15 Inter-club tournament, the release noted.
Co-coordinator of NCN Berbice Operation, Faizal Jaffarally praised the organizing skills of the BCB and expressed satisfaction at the high standard of cricket played. He assured officials of the BCB of his company’s continued support as they were satisfied with the development of cricket in the ancient county on and off the cricket pitch.
Regional Chairman of Region Six, Zulfikar Mustapha urged the young cricketers to be disciplined at all times as it was the foundation of success and he also challenged them to stay in school and to make education a key goal in life.
He also congratulated the BCB for its outstanding leadership of Berbice cricket and eaxpressed the hope that the Guyana Cricket Board would follow the example of the BCB.
Meanwhile Latchaya was named Man-of-the-Finals and received a trophy. As part of its pro-education campaign, the BCB did not share out financial awards but every member of the two teams received a scientific calculator at a total value of $65,000.
