In a practical one man show, Rampertab Ramnauth followed up a half-century with a five-wicket haul to lead Port Mourant Cricket Club to a 30-run win over Albion Cricket Club in the final of the Berbice Cricket Board/Lewison General Store Under-15 tournament yesterday.
At the evergreen Jai Hind Ground, Port Mourant won the toss and opted to bat first, posting 158 for nine from their 50-over allotment before restricting Albion to 128 all out in 38.1 overs.
Port Mourant stormed to their second youth title with West Indies Under-19 prospect, Ramnauth scoring 61.
The 16-year-old opener’s innings featured three sixes and six fours as rode his luck after being dropped on 20 and 46 and then again on 51. Eventually, the left-hander was out caught at short mid-wicket.
Ramnauth lost his 13-year-old brother and fellow opener, Rampersaud for just six but forged a 51-run second-wicket partnership alongside Ramesh Bharrat.
Bharrat was dropped three times but only managed 15 as Port Mourant slipped from 113 for two to 151 for nine.
Ganesh Seosahai was the only batsman with a double-figure score as he struck three fours on his way to 17 while extras accounted for 34 runs.
Kumar Deopersaud had the best return with the ball, picking up two for 13 with his left-arm spin. He was supported by Devin Lalbehari (2-15) and Tameshwar Mangal (2-32).
In the chase, Albion looked on course for victory at 84 for three but lost their wickets in a cluster as Ramnauth returned to bag five wickets for 32 runs with his legspin. He was supported by off-spinner Romel Boodwah who took four wickets for 36 runs.
Shiv Harripersaud top scored with 30, laced with three boundaries and added 62 for the third-wicket with Damion Cecil who made 28 decorated with three boundaries. Both batsmen were dismissed by the legspinner.
At the presentation ceremony, President of the Berbice Cricket Board, Hilbert Foster, congratulated Port Mourant for an exceptional performance while wishing Albion better luck next time and commended them for their fighting spirit.
“I really hope that the Port Mourant Club which has been going through some real problems for the last decade would use this as an inspiration to do much better…to Albion better luck next time. However, please don’t look at this as a disappointment because you have another finals coming up,” Foster told the cricketers.
Meanwhile, in a heartwarming gesture, Foster, who is also Chief Executive Officer of Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club fulfilled a commitment the club made recently when meeting with Minister of Human Services, Dr. Vindhya Persaud to assist Balnivas Shelter for children located in Babu John.
Five of the players from Port Mourant, ages ranging from 12 to 15 years benefited from the pledge. Two of the boys told Stabroek Sport they wanted to become cricketers.
