Berbice retained the Guyana Cricket Board ( GCB) El Dorado senior inter- county one- day trophy after whipping rivals Demerara by a handsome five- wicket margin on Saturday evening at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Wicketkeeper/ batsman Anthony Bramble along with Jonathan Foo batted responsibly to marshal the side to the win after their team had earlier wobbled. They reached 232- 5 in the 46th over replying to the hosts’ challenging 231 all out off 44.4 overs.
The two right- handers linked up when their team was in a spot of discomfort at 134- 5 and then fashioned an unbeaten 97- run sixth- wicket stand that sealed the deal.
Bramble was on an even fifty, while Foo was four short of the half- century mark.
Berbice’s chase was affected by a combination of pace and spin introduced by the home team. Kellon Carmichael and leg- spinner Amir Khan picked up two early wickets to threaten the innings.
However, Bramble and Foo came to the rescue effectively, batting with consummate ease on a responsive pitch. They picked up the singles intelligently, while their communication between the wickets was also admirable.
Their partnership overshadowed Christopher Barnwell’s brilliant 127 that was mainly responsible for Demerara’s total. He cracked eight fours and five sixes but was dropped on several occasions.
Off- spinner and man- ofthe- match Royston Crandon was the chief destroyer for Berbice with five wickets for 33 runs from eight overs, while he was splendidly supported by leg- spinner Devendra Bishoo, who got 3- 24 off eight overs as well.
Apart from Barnwell’s significant contribution to wards the total, only Vishaul Singh weighed in with 31 and skipper Leon Johnson with 20.
When Berbice began their chase, they lost their experi enced batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon brilliantly tak en by Shemroy Barrington at backward point off the steady Carmichael, while soon after Test batsman
Narsingh Deonarine depart ed for two, through a dubi ous catch by the wicketkeep er.
Opener Richard Ramdeen, showed good ag gression, but failed to prog ress from his solid start and was dismissed for 31, nip ping a regulation catch to Barnwell at slip off left- arm seamer Andre Stoll.
Captain Assad Fudadin and Crandon tried desperately to rebuild a partner ship, but the latter suffered, driving straight to Steven Jacobs at extra- cover to Khan for 29; the left- handed Fudadin followed shortly after caught and bowled by Khan for 32.
At that juncture, the home team, without three veteran batsmen, were struggling, and eventually failed to re claim the trophy that they relinquished last year.
At the presentation cer emony, Crandon received a trophy and $ 15, 000 for his all- round performance, while Demerara took home a trophy and cash incentives as well.
Berbice collected a trophy and a cash prize, too.
President of the GCB, Chetram Singh, was also on hand and congratulated Berbice for again emerging champions. He also thanked the sponsors for their con tinued support.
He mentioned this compe tition was used primarily for the selection of the national senior team that will be participating in the upcoming regional one- day tourna ment that is set for Jamaica beginning on Thursday.
The team is expected to be named today.
Brand manager of DDL, Maria Munroe, in her re marks, extended congratu lation to the victorious team and wished the losers better luck next time. She stated that her beverage company was indeed pleased to be on board again.
