Rose Hall Community Centre whip defending champs

May 22, 2008 Sports

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Albion to reach Isaac Bissoon final

Kassim 7-71 engineers destruction

Giant killers Rose Hall Community Centre continued their upward march this year in the cricket arena when they created a big upset, trashing defending champions and pre game favourites Albion Community Centre by 31 runs to advance to the final for the second Isaac Bissoon three-day first division cricket competition.

In the game which was played at the Albion Community Centre ground, which turned out to be a low scoring affair, began Saturday10th and continued on Saturday 17th and concluded on Sunday 18th. The host resuming on their over week score of 19-1 in pursuit of the 200 made by the visitors, but crumbled for a paltry 154 in what turned out to be a lackadaisical affair.

The host batting, despite some useful starts, never indicated any permanence reaching 65 before the second wicket fell which was due mainly to contributions of 40 from Berbice U-19 batsman Manoj Poornanauth and 35 from GuyanaU-15 captain Harrinarine Chattergoon.

Albion then lost wickets at regular intervals and were stuttering at 89-3 then 92-4 and 119-5 before they were rescued by a 31 runs 6th wicket partnership between National player Veerasammy Permaul 29 and Berbice U-19 player Sahadeo Somai that took the score to 150.

From 152-6 the host lost their last four wickets for the addition of 2 runs to be all out for 154 as former Berbice U-19 player off spinner Daryl Narine with 4-37 from 9 overs destroyed the rest of the innings.

Narine was admirable supported by pacer Rafik Kassim with 3-53 and captain off spinner Romesh Munna 2-27 from 17 accurate overs.

With a lead of 46 the visitors ended the second day on 17-2. On resumption of play on the final day, Sunday, Rose Hall CC batting went into a serious decline as they were bowled out for a pitiful 63, scoring a meager 46 runs on the day for the loss of their last 8 wickets.

The batsman had no answer to the spin of left arm spinner Permaul 4-11 from 17 overs and off spinner Somai 4-19 from 12. At various stages they were limping along at19-3, 25-4, and 29-7 before they were rescued by a pain staking 31 run partnerships for the 8th wicket between Sean Jethu and Rocky Beepat that took the score to 60 before they lost the last three wickets for three runs.

Albion needing 108 to win had suffered a set back even before the second days play began as captain and regional player Ramnarine Chattergoon left the country and could not complete the game. They performed miserable with the bat and fell for a disgraceful 77-9 innings closed. A total 17 wickets fell for a mere 123 runs in what at times can best be described as substandard cricket for a senior inter club semi-final.

They host had a bad start and never seem to be playing like defending champions and were soon tottering on 13-2, 15-3, and 16-4 as they fell in dire straits and with defeat staring and the possibility of not being able to defend their crown, Albion then staged a semi recovery with opener Pooranauth 18 and national U-15 player Sharmendra Hardyal 20 putting together a dogged 34 runs for the 5th wicket. But when Poornanauth fell at 54 it was all over in quick time.

Bowling for the winners, Works Engineer, Kassim was in a more destructive mood in the second innings as he brought some of his engineering skills on the field, he blasted out 4-18 from 10 hostile overs to pick up seven in the match and was splendidly supported by former Guyana U-15 player off spinner Sanjay Khan with 3-28 and left arm spinner Jethu who chipped in with 2-12.

The win by Rose Hall CC, who are the Zone A runners up, have propelled them to the final for the first time since the three day first division competition has been played on a zonal basis since 1986. It is also the first time in a number of years that Albion will not be appearing in a three day first division final in the Ancient County.

The other semi-final game at the Cumberland ground in East Canje between zone A winner Young Warriors and last years runner-up Port Mourant was washed out as they were no play possible even though the Berbice cricket Board had allotted a fourth day. When the game had ended (Sunday 11th), Young Warriors were in the ascendancy.

They had posted 263 all out with the hard hitting Rudolph Baker smashing 88 and former national captain Damodar Daesrath an unbeaten on 56, Imran Latiff 37 and Kwesi Maltay24.
Bowling for the visitors there were three wickets each for former West Indies U-19 player Roopnarine Ramgobin and Rajendra Bholo.

Port Mourant in reply were tottering on 37-4.With Former Guyana U-19 pacer Kwesi Maltay doing the damage with 3-4 from 5 hostile overs. The first days play (Saturday 8th) was completely rained out. This game is expected to be replayed.

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