BCB 2010 season launched in style

Feb 10, 2010 Sports

The Corentyne team defeated a combined team consisting of players from West Berbice, East Bank New Amsterdam and Canje by 3 wickets to lift the John Trim Memorial Trophy when the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) launched its 2010 programme in Edinburgh, last Sunday morning. The winners were subsequently presented with the John Trim Memorial trophy for their efforts.

Captain Sewnarine Chattergoon (left) of the Corentyne Team, receives the trophy from Assistant Secretary of the BCB at the launching of their 2010 cricket season.

This was the first of 20 competitions planned by the BCB for the season and officials have advised players to prepare for the busiest year on the field. Players would compete at all levels starting from the U-13 category to the senior levels.

Heavy early morning rain forced the umpires to reduce the inaugural 40 overs game to 30 overs. The Combined Team lost the toss and was invited to take first strike. Raid Ally, of Edinburgh stroked an attractive 35 (6×4) to lead his team to 136-7 at the end of their allotted overs. He received support from national U19 player, Seon Hetmyer (20), Krisendat Ramoo (15) and wicketkeeper Kwesi Mentore who remained not out on 14.

Off spinner, Steven Latcha (3-16 off 7) led the bowling attack for losers and found support from teenaged off spinner, Eon Hooper (2-21 off 4) and national medium pacer Esaun Crandon who took one wicket along with off spinner Troy Mathieson.

National opener Sewnarine Chattergoon (18) and his younger brother Harrinarine (13) opened the batting for Corentyne. They amassed 27 runs before they both fell to the pace bowling of Keon Joseph. National middle order batsman Royston Crandon (30), Eon Hooper (15) and national leg spinner, Devendra Bishu (20*) all contributed with the bat to help Corentyne to the winning total of 138-7 off 29 overs.

Earlier in the Corentyne innings, Bishu and Troy Mathieson added 34 for the 8th wicket after their team had slipped to 104-7. Off spinner Krisendat Ramoo in a highly impressive spell took 4-20 while Keon Joseph (2-36) and medium pacer Raid Ally (1-25) all contributed to the eventually fruitless cause.

Chairman of the Berbice Cricket Board Competition Committee (BCBCC), Carl Moore described the event as historic since it was the first time that the East Bank of Berbice was hosting such an important match. He further pointed out that the effort was an attempt by the Board to promote cricket in the rural areas. Moore praised the Edinburgh Cricket Club and fans for making the match a huge success. He also urged all clubs to prepare for a hectic season.

President BCB, Keith Foster expressed delight at the support given by the Edinburgh Community. He noted that his executives would strive harder to take the game into the rural areas in a bid to revive the sport in Berbice.

Foster intimated that his organization will be paying tribute to past cricket stalwarts in the bid to preserve the rich legacy left by them. He said that starting this year, the first game of the season would be named in honour of a Berbice test player.

John Trim, a former pace bowler from Port Mourant and the first Berbician to play test cricket, has been identified as the first player to be honoured. The BCB has decided to honour legendary cricketer, Rohan Kanhai, next year.

Foster further challenged the players and clubs to lift their standard in the new season and to always strive to be the best.

He lauded the patriotism of several stalwarts who, despite their participation in the current West Indies Cricket Board’s first class competition, still found the time to participate in the tournament.

Those players are, Esaun and Royston Crandon, Sewnarine Chattergoon and Devendra Bishu. Assad Fudadin and Veerasammy Permaul were present at the venue but were resting due to injuries. National pacer Brendon Bess was the sole absentee.