Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
Bravados CC are ECCB 2nd Division Champs
Beat Better Hope by 111 runs in their own backyard
Bravados Cricket Club defeated Better Hope Sports Club by 111 runs before a
Champions Bravados
large and raucous crowd, on a fast outfield in brilliant sunshine in the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) 2nd division final at the Better Hope ground on Sunday.
Bravado, led by an attractive 44 from Marcus Watkins, 40 from Anthony Ifill, 37 from Skipper Earl Gilkes and 34 from Rawle Merrel, made 242 all out in 39 overs after opting to bat first in the final match of an exciting tournament as Jayadev Mana (2-36), Daniel Kowlessar (2-38) and Amir Khan (2-20) bowled well for Better Hope.
The home team could only reach 133 in 24 overs despite a courageous unbeaten 42 from Amir Khan. Seon Simpson (4-31), Earl Gilkes (3-22) and Alex Cully (2 -28) were the main destroyers of Better Hope in their own back yard much to the dismay of the partisan crowd.
On an excellent batting track, Anthony Ifill and Nigel Estrado started the innings briskly with Estrado dominating the partnership. He struck three fours and a massive six before he was LBW for 20 with the score at 23 in the third over.
Watkins joined Ifill and both batsmen batted sensibly to reach 110-1 in the 18th over before Watkins had his stumps scattered by Jayadev Mana after reaching the boundary six times and clearing it once. Ifill was the next to go when 10 short of what would have been a well played half-century with three fours and a six.
Kellon Carmichael, just back from the English leagues, Lionel Wordsworth, Kelvin Bovell all departed in quick succession and with the score on a 139 -6 in the 28th over Better Hope, urged on by the noisy home crowd were beginning to tighten the screws.
However Gilkes joined Rawle Merrel to steady the ship and batted beautifully as a cool breeze blew across the ground from the Atlantic Ocean just beyond the Northern boundary.
Merrel was removed after hitting four fours to leave the score on 200-7. Bravados were eventually bowled out in the 39th over with Captain Gilkes contributing a well-constructed innings.
When the hosts began their run chase needing to score more than six runs per over to win, Roy Persaud and Daniel Kowlessar started against the new ball attack of Ifill and Sampson and Persaud was removed for six.
The talented left handed Amir Khan played maturely; stroking the ball stylishly but was quickly running out of partners as wickets tumbled at the other end.
Some indifferent bowling by the Bravados attack which saw 31 extras conceded aided the Better Hope unit but while Khan was still there at the end only Daniel Kowlessar (13) and Mulchan Singh (18) offered token support.
Gilkes was named Man-of-the-Match, while Khan was awarded a Medal for his outstanding performances in the losing side.
At the presentation ceremony Vice-President of the ECCB Raymond Barton spoke briefly about the challenges and the success of the tournament, explaining that the new competition will see 31 teams since three teams were added this year.
President of Better Hope Sports Club Jagnarine Singh said while he was disappointed in not winning the competition, he is satisfied with the hard work and the fact that his boys reached the final in a competitive zone, was commendable but urged his team redouble its effort in the next competition.
President of the ECCB Mr. Bissoondyal Singh congratulated both teams for reaching the final especially Bravados for winning. Singh expressed gratitude to Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Corporate Guyana, the Clubs, the NDC’s and the Umpires for their continuous contributions and support of the development of the game on the East Coast.
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