A devastating innings of 68 from Jayden Garner, which included a tournament-record nine sixes, spearheaded Cropper Primary’s successful defense of their Future Warriors Berbice crown, as they overwhelmed a valiant Betsy Ground Primary by 32 runs in a lopsided final at the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club Ground. The tournament is powered by ExxonMobil Guyana.
Opting to bat first in the eight-over-a-side tapeball affair, Cropper Primary amassed an imposing 98-5, a total built mainly on the back of Garner’s brutal 24-ball assault.
In reply, Betsy Ground, despite a fighting unbeaten 33 from Dinesh Bhopaul, could only manage 66-4, undone by a disciplined bowling effort.
The final was set alight by Garner’s pyrotechnics.
Coming in with his side in a spot of bother, he launched a stunning counter-attack, his nine sixes and two fours leaving the Betsy Ground bowlers bewildered.
Part of the action at the Albion Ground
His innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, each strike of the bat resonating with authority.
Anthony Ramu played a crucial supporting role- his quickfire 16 off just seven balls ensuring the momentum remained with the defending champions.
For Betsy Ground, Ovendra Kuldeep was the most successful bowler, claiming 3-24, while Daniel Bowling and Bhopaul picked up a wicket each.
Faced with a daunting target, Betsy Ground’s chase never truly gathered steam.
Bhopaul stood firm at one end, his 21-ball 33, laced with five fours and a six, a lone hand against a rising tide.
However, wickets tumbled at the other end, with Nehad Khan emerging as the chief architect of Betsy Ground’s demise.
Khan’s crafty spell of 2-15 broke the back of the chase, with Hushal Seepaul and Tejpaul Persaud also chipping in with a wicket apiece to seal a comprehensive victory.
Earlier in the day, Cropper Primary had booked their place in the final with a hard-fought 10-run win over Tain Primary, with Garner once again the star, smashing 32 off 11 balls.
Betsy Ground, meanwhile, had cruised into the final with a comfortable seven-wicket victory over New Market Primary.
Garner’s sensational form throughout the tournament saw him finish as the leading run-scorer with 140 runs at a staggering strike rate of 285.
Khan’s eight wickets earned him the award for the tournament’s leading bowler.
In a testament to his all-around consistency, Betsy Ground’s Kenny Ishmile was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player for his 65 runs and seven wickets.
“The enthusiasm and interest from the children here today is what this tournament is all about,” said John Ramsingh of the organising group, FL Sport.
“We had fun, and today, we are all winners.”
Cropper Primary will now advance to the “champion of champions” edition of the tournament, where they will lock horns with Demerara champions Grove Primary.
The Essequibo leg of the tournament is scheduled for June 21-22, after which the ultimate champion will be crowned.
The victorious school will earn the unique opportunity to be part of the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ activities during the home leg of the Caribbean Premier League in September.
The Most Valuable Players from each of the three zones will also be involved in activities for the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League in July.
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