D’Edward Cricket Club of West Bank Berbice triumphed over their competition to win the 2014 Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/New Building Society Second Division 40-Overs Cricket Competition for teams in Berbice after recording a nail-biting 3-wicket win over Corriverton in the finals played on Sunday at the No. 69 ground.
In a match that was reduced to 28 overs-a-side after a late start due to overnight rains, Corriverton, a first-time finalist, lost the toss and were inserted by their opponents, making a paltry 123 all-out after being 113 for 5 at one point with the skipper Jermain Reid top-scoring with 41, a press release said.
Off-spinner Devendra Lalsa led the bowling with figures of 4 for 27 from 5 overs, while Kevon Jawahir’s 2 for 18 from 4.5 overs; Navin Rampersaud’s 2 for 30 from 6 overs and Heeralall Bridgelall’s 2 for 31 from 4 overs capped off a collective bowling performance.
In reply, D’Edward safely cruised to 124 for 7 in 25.4 overs with Lakeraj Sookra scoring 33 after Reid returned to collect 2 for 18 from 3 overs and left arm spinner Faoud Bacchus 2 for 19.
Bowlers on both teams were responsible and effective, resulting in Lalsa – who picked up four wickets – being named MVP of the match and receiving $5,000 for his efforts.
He was also named best bowler while Corriverton’s Captain Reid was nominated the best batsman. At the presentation ceremony, D’Edward collected the winning trophy and a $60,000 cash prize and Corriverton, the $30,000 for the runner-up prize. Hubern Evans, Vice President of the BCB thanked the New Building Society (NBS) for their continued sponsorship of this very important competition that involved close to 100 teams. He said the competition helps to promote village cricket and unearths lots of new talents that advance to first division cricket. Further, he said, the sport promotes an active lifestyle. Meanwhile, Anil Beharry, Vice President of the BCB and Senior Manager at the NBS said the board’s support of cricket at all levels has been noted by the sponsors. He singled out Carl Moore for special mention for the smooth running of such a big tournament. Rana Persaud, Manager of NBS Rose Hall Branch said that the Society was pleased with the way the competition was run and was impressed with the wide media coverage.
