The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) in collaboration with Nand Persaud Group of Companies over the weekend, launched the first women’s tournament of the year.
The 25-over match saw Rose Hall Town Metro coming up against a combined New Amsterdam/Canje/ Tucber Park at the Area ‘H’ ground in a three match series as Rose Hall Town drew first blood.
Rose Hall Town won the toss and elected to bat first where they piled on 169-5 in their allotted overs before bowling out the opposition for 46 in 16 overs, effectively earning a 123-run win. They got off to a blitz with Shabika Gajnabi, who was selected for a West Indies training camp recently, putting on 50 for the opening stand alongside Kimmoni Thomas. Gajnabi smashed a half dozen boundaries in her innings of 36 while her partner added 16 before being bowled by Tremayne Smartt. Smart also dismissed Mariam Samaroo for eight as Cassey Munroe and Plaffiana Millington fell cheaply.
Shericka Campbelle laced nine boundaries on her way to a top score of 60 before falling to Smartt who finished with figures of 3-16. Dian Prabolall finished unbeaten on 16. In reply, Millington returned with the ball to bag 5-7 from five overs including the wickets of E. Mentore, T. Hetmyer and S. Sanmoogan in her final over.
Millington was supported by Campbelle who finished with 2-8, Erva Giddings (1-5) and Prabolall (1-5).
Smartt was solid but ran out of partners as she was left stranded on 21, her knock consisting of two boundaries.
President of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, when speaking to Stabroek Sport related that the tournament was set for earlier in the year but due to various circumstances was unable to come off until now.
Foster said that although the 29th tournament of the year only featured the two teams, he was especially pleased to have the game played within the spirit of cricket and to have such a large number of players below 19 years coming out and getting to play with women who have represented Guyana and West Indies.
The BCB President stated that so far he has seen a lot of potential and pledged to have a larger tournament next year along with at least two more competitions for women.
