An exceptional all-round performance from Kareem Mentore ensured Region Six defeated the Tactical Service Unit (TSU) by 11 runs to lift the 2021 Police Commissioner’s T20 Cup.
Playing at the Eve Leary Ground yesterday, TSU won the toss and inserted Region Six who posted 149 for eight from their allotted overs. When it was TSU’s turn to bat, they only managed 138 for eight when their overs ended.
After the match, captain of Region Six, Philbert Wilburg, explained that he was extremely happy with his players creating history by lifting their first ever title. At the start of the match, Wilburg predicted a score between 210 to 230 runs but after his team’s innings he backed his boys to defend that total.
Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, admitted afterwards that he enjoyed the contest and thanked all the players who took part in the competition, noting that they have displayed a high level of cricket which is commendable.
“I am very happy as I said for the result and the sportsman-like conduct of both teams, there were times when we’ve seen tempers flare a bit out there but as I said to them, what is important is for them to display sportsman-like conduct and that was very much present…I would say to the winning team congratulations and may the runner-up continue to strive to be a winner at this level. We all witness the performance this afternoon and it was of a very high standard, a standard of which we can all pick future players who can perhaps represent Guyana one day,” James stated.
Mentore’s innings provided stability to the batting order after Region Six slipped to 14 for two in the second over with Eon Rodrigues getting dangerman Kevon Boodie (07) to chop an inside edge onto his stumps in the first over and Shaquille Clarke taking a simple return catch from a leading edge off the bat of Kedar Amsterdam (5).
Daniel Samaroo showed patience in absorbing the early loss with Mentore as the pair forged a 53-run partnership for the third wicket.
Samaroo batted with caution, only giving one chance to a full toss off of Kemol Savory at backward point while on 38. The missed chance did not prove vital as he did not add to that score as an inside edge trickled onto the stumps to end his 43-ball innings that featured two fours and one six. Mentore went on to make 29 from 22 balls with three fours and a six.
A 25-ball 32 from Troy Drakes, who was dropped on two, coupled with a 14-run cameo from Wilburg, proved instrumental in getting Region Six to a respectable total, scoring 48 runs in the final six overs. Jermaine Semple returned three wickets for 29 runs while Rodrigues picked up 2-23.
TSU’s hopes of lifting their second title after winning the inaugural competition back in 2015, rested on the shoulders of National wicketkeeper batsman, Savory, but the daunting task was made even more difficult as he experienced troubles with his hamstring which effectively hampered the 24-year-old’s running between the wickets.
Nevertheless, the pugnacious left-hander showed his class with two boundaries off the first two deliveries of the chase and even whipped out the reverse sweep on occasions as he hammered seven fours and six sixes on his way to 85 from 55 balls before being bowled in the penultimate over with 20 to get from nine balls.
Drakes returned to have Alex Burnett stumped in the fifth over while trapping Raul Grovesnor leg before wicket to wrap up a tidy spell with figures of 2-26.
Mentore’s off-spin rocked TSU’s middle order as Rocky ‘Chinese Man’ Hutson pulled off the catch of the tournament at first slip diving to his left in kung fu fashion to dismiss Andy Gillis for one. In that same over, Mentore enticed Rodrigues to pop a simple return catch back to him to see TSU slide to 51 for four at the halfway stage.
Mentore followed up with the wicket of Zane London but was kept back to bowl the penultimate over in which he removed Savory to end with 4-21 and secure the man of the final award.
TSU had their moments with Dellon Allicock joining Savory to add 54 for the sixth wicket but the asking rate kept climbing. Allicock was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 24 from 26 balls.
Overall, Savory was adjudged the Most Valuable Player, finishing with 209 runs, the most by any batsman in the competition. Hutson ended with the most wickets (7) while Boodie blasted the most sixes with 13.
