A brilliant all-round effort from the talented Rajiv Ivan supported by superb fielding from his teammates led Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets (RHTG&G) to a 25 run win over Albion in the finals of the 10th edition of the Busta Champion of Champions cricket tournament organised by the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club.
Winning again this year meant that it was RHT Gizmos and Gadgets’ 9th title, Port Mourant won the other in 2005.
Playing at a neutral venue, the Port Mourant Community Centre, RHTG&G won the toss and elected to bat first after play was delayed by 30 minutes due to extra moisture on the pitch. Delbert Hicks and Dominic Rikhi gave them a solid start with an opening stand of 46 before Hicks was deceived by Under-17 off spinner Daniel Lewis and was caught by Balchan Baldeo for 24 (3×4).
Jason Sinclair and Rikhi then carried the score to 57 in the 18th over when Rikhi was stumped off Gudakesh Motie for 25. Sinclair, who struggled with his timing, was joined by Ivan who from his first ball looked confident.
Together they added 62 crucial runs off 14 overs, before Sinclair was bowled off the inside edge by off spinner Sharaz Ramcharran for 26. Ivan with support from his teammates then carried RHTG&G to 203 for 8 from their allotted 46 overs.
Ivan made 80 off 74 balls (6×4 2×6), Clinton Pestano supported with 15 while Shailendra Shameer and Keon Sinclair were unbeaten on ten each.
Bowling for Albion, Motie ended with 2-37 from 9 overs while Jonathan Foo took 2 for 25 from his 9 overs. Needing to score at just over 4.5 runs per over to achieve victory, Albion lost Balchan Baldeo LBW to medium pacer Clinton Pestano for 4 at 14-1 in the 3rd over.
Off spinner Troy Mathieson who opened the RHTG&G bowling then trapped Sewnarine Chattergoon for 9 to leave Albion at 14-2 in the 4th over. Worse was to follow for Albion as Sharaz Ramcharran was brilliantly run out by Dominic Rikhi for 2 to leave Albion reeling at 22-3 in the 6th over.
Jonathan Foo and the talented David Latchaya then played sensibly to add 61 in 17 overs to bring Albion back in the game before another brilliant piece of fielding from Shailendra Shameer resulted in the run out of Latchaya for 31 from 55 balls (1×4).
Bishoo and Foo, who curbed his natural attacking style batted well to take Albion to 137 for 4 in the 32nd over before Foo, in a rush of blood holed out to Keon Sinclair at long on off Man-of-the-Match Ivan for a well played 70 off 81 balls (5×4).
More brilliant work in the field resulted in the run outs of Bishoo (22) and Veerapen Permaul (9) as Albion were dismissed for 179 off 44.3 overs. Troy Matheison bowled well to take 3-22 from 9.3 overs while the impressive Ivan took 2-28 runs from his 9 overs.
RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster at the presentation ceremony said the tournament was a resounding success noting that it was not only well organized but had achieved all of its objectives. Club President Keith Foster who also heads the Berbice Cricket Board expressed gratitude to the Guyana Beverage Company for its continued investment in Berbice cricket, stating that it has grown into one of the premier tournaments in Guyana.
Managing Director of Guyana Beverage Company, distributors of Busta, Mr. Robert Selman hailed the organising skills of the club whilst stating his satisfaction about the success of the tournament.
Selman said that the club was a role model organisation which has represented the Busta brand excellently. To loud applause, Selman announced that Busta would be renewing sponsorship for the 11th edition in August.
He also congratulated both teams for their excellent performances in the final. Troy Mathieson received supplies of Busta products for the Best Bowler award along with Ivan who was named best batsman and man-of-the-match.
Ivan also received a trophy and $10,000. Albion received the runner-up trophy and $50,000 while RHTG&G carried home the beautiful Busta trophy and $100,000.