Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM
16th Annual BCB/RHTYSC Busta Champion of Champions Tournament
RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour edge Albion by three runs to win Championship thriller
– Third title in two weeks
The venue was filled to capacity, the atmosphere was electric and the determination for a victory was visible between both teams but it was Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour team which held its nerves to emerge as winner of the 16th annual BCB/RHTYSC Busta Champion of Champions 40 overs cricket tournament.
The winning RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour team.
Playing at the Port Mourant Ground, RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour’s Keon Sinclair bowled well to restrict Albion to just eleven runs in the last over when they required fifteen to win their first ever Busta title.
The first ball of the 40th over saw national player Jonathan Foo refusing a single, while he scrabbled two from the second. The third ball from the fiery Keon Sinclair was smashed back over long off for six but Foo was then run out next ball, attempting a second run to former national player Eon Hooper. Mahendra Chaitnarine then flicked Sinclair to the fine leg boundary for four before being run out off the last ball of the match, much to the disappointment of the large Albion supporters.
Earlier in the day, Rose Hall Town won the toss and elected to bat. Delbert Hicks was caught off Jonathan Foo for nine after adding 33 for the first wicket with national Under 19 player Junior Sinclair. Jason Sinclair 01 and Junior Sinclair 25 both fell in quick successions as the defending champions slipped to 35 for 3 in the tenth over. Royston Crandon and vice-Captain Shawn Pereira added 27 for the 4th wicket before the latter was trapped LBW by Gourav Ramesh for 14 from 25 balls. Useful contributions from Khemraj Mahadeo 14, Keon Sinclair 16, Troy Mathieson 14 and Keith Simpson 10 not out supported Crandon 71 well as RHT Namilco Thunderbolt flour ended on 181 all out in 39.2 overs.
Man of the Finals – Royston Crandon
Crandon blasted four huge sixes, with three of them resulting in lost balls. Promising left arm spinner Gourav Ramesh ended with 3 for 22 from eight impressive overs, while Sarwan Chaitnarine took 2 for 8. Foo, Mahendra Chaitnarine, and Kandasammy Surujnarine took one wicket a piece for 23, 39 and 11 respectively.
Albion skipper Kandasammy Surujnarine and Sharaz Ramcharran added 13 for the first wicket for Albion before Surujnarine was bowled by his opposing counterpart Eon Hooper for 04 in the 4th over. Albion’s Sukhwa then had his stumps uprooted by Keon Sinclair for 05 at 28 for 2. Ramcharran and Foo then added 28 for the third wicket before the former Guyana youth player was bowled by Sinclair for a well-played 31 (six boundaries).
Busta Berbice Manager Albert Budhoo hands over trophy and cash prize to RHTNTF captain Eon Hooper.
Rajiv Ivan was yorked by Royston Crandon at 66 for 4. The highly talented David Latchaya joined Foo and together they added 61 for the fifth wicket before Latchana was caught by Junior Sinclair off Eon Hooper for 26. Left arm spinner Keith Simpson (8-1-15-0) and off spinner Junior Sinclair (6-1-20-0) both bowled tight spells to create pressure on the Albion batsmen. The dangerous Ramesh Kasinauth was run out for 12 to set up the final over dramatics. Hooper 2 for 28, Keon Sinclair 2 for 40 and Royston Crandon 2 for 38 were the best bowlers for the Champions as Albion ended on 178 for 8 off their allotted 40 overs.
BCB President and RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster hailed the tournament as a resounding success despite the fact that several national contracted players were stopped from playing in a BCB organised tournament. Berbice Cricket, he stated is on the rise and the vindictive attitude of a few would not stop the wheel of progress. Guyana Beverage Company Berbice Manager Albert Budhoo congratulated both teams on providing fans with a thrilling final and expressed delight at the large turnout of fans. Busta, he stated would continue to sponsor the tournament in the future. The Champions took home $100,000 and the Busta Trophy. Royston Crandon was named Man of the finals.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Fastest growing economy and an empty stadium
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- It’s a classic Guyanese tale, really. You live in the fastest growing economy in the... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
