RHTMFCT creates history in Berbice Cricket

Aug 29, 2008 Sports

Nekita Toney takes hat-trick against Albion U-15’s

Nekita Toney

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Guyana’s leading youth and sports club continues to break new grounds and its latest success is no different, with the addition of the Rose Hall Town Metro Female Cricket Team (RHTMFCT) making a successful debut in the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) sponsored tournament.

The team has created history by being the first female team to take part in an all male cricket tournament.

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club is the only club in Berbice to have a female section and as such in an effort to have the girls involved in matches, the club approached the BCB to allow the team to play in the Board’s under-15, under-17 and under-19 tournaments.

The BCB agreed to the proposal with the understanding that the team would not be playing for points as most of the players are above the age limit and that the team would play two male cricketers under the age of 16 years. The team has played two matches to date in the tournament and has won on first innings in both.

In the first match against Johns at the Area ‘H’ Ground, RHTMFCT won the toss and batted first and declared at 151-3 with guest players Dominic Ricky scoring 53 and Lionel Lewis 32. Batswoman Jackie Singh hit 22, Melissa Henry 12 and Nikita Toney 15 not out.

In reply Johns were bowled out for 135 with Wazir Tazhir leading with 33 with all the wickets taken by the females, Melissa Henry 4-9, Tricia Leonard 2-6 and Trishnie Lord 2-9.

Batting a second time, RHTMFCT reached 32-2 when the game was called off with 15 year old Nermala Sewdatt unbeaten on 16.

In their second match against Berbice under-15 power house Alboin, RHTMFCT again took first strike and were bowled out for 149, guest player Lionel Lewis was again in the runs with 53.

He received excellent support from Tremayne Smartt 30, Shemaine Campbell 22 and Erva Giddings 14. Bowling for Albion R. Dasrat took 3-33.

In reply Albion were sent packing for 97, Mark Basdeo 30 led them while Dasrat returned to support with 27.

The main destroyer with the ball was female left arm spinner Nekita Toney who snared 5-6 including a hat-trick.

Smartt backed up with 2-15 and Orva Giddings 2-14. Batting a second time the female side reached 44-3 when stumps were drawn.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster hailed the performance of the female team as historic, since it is the first time that females are taking part in a male competition.

He expressed pleasure that the girls are displaying commitment and discipline something that Guyana’s cricket badly needs.

He also noted that since the team has been formed, they have produced nine Berbice under-19 players, six Berbice senior players and three national players.

The three Guyana players were outstanding with Tremayne Smartt scoring the most runs for Guyana including the only half century, Erva Giddings took the most wickets (12) while Shemaine Campbell did well with the bat also.

Foster called on the Guyana Cricket Board to organise club tournaments for females while urging other clubs to form female sections.