Berbice had little trouble in retaining their Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) senior female inter county 50-over title; they defeated Demerara by seven wickets in the final round game at the Guyana Defence Force ground.
Exciting pacer Subrina Munroe trapped both Laushana Toussaint (00) and Latoya Smith (02) lbw to reduce Demerara to 16-2 after they decided to bat on a slow pitch. Mandy Mangru and Kavita Yadram attempted to repair the early damage, but their 21-run third wicket re-union ended after Yadram took off for an ill advised single and was run out after hitting two fours in scoring 15. Mangru followed shortly, caught and bowled by off-spinner Plaffiana Millington for eight to leave the score on 42-4. Their departure activated a collapse as Demerara, without some of their key players, who opted not to play in the competition for personal reasons, found the opposition bowling, which was well marshaled by skipper Shemaine Campbell, too difficult to handle thereafter.
Spinners Natasha Gangoo and Steffi Rodney removed Odessa O’Neil (07) and Akaze Thompson (04) respectively, courtesy of two brilliant catches by Tremayne Smartt on the mid-wicket boundary.
Gangoo, Rodney and Sheneta Grimmond then combined to knock over the rest of the batting as Demerara were sent packing for 67 in 41.2 overs. Gangoo was the pick of the bowlers with 3-10, Rodney claimed 2-9 and Munroe 2-11; Millington and Grimmond had one each.
Katana Mentore and Melanie Henry set Berbice on course with an opening stand of 22 before Mentore was run out for four. Henry soon followed, given out caught and bowled off Hassena Mohamed for 13 (1×4) after she shared in a second wicket stand of 26 with Grimmond who went soon after for 13 (1×4).
Gangoo, who was named player of the match, showed her all-round prowess, smashing three fours in an unbeaten 13 to see her team home as they ended on 68-3 in 21.4 overs; Campbell was on four. Mohamed took 1-13.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, territorial development officer of the GCB Colin Stuart said there were some challenges in getting the competition off. He explained that they had hoped to have four teams competing, but had some issues with the weather soon after their youth tournaments ended.
Stuart stated that they are looking at the possibility of using eight teams in future competitions (male and female), adding that the issue of not having an assigned coach for female cricket will now be erased since they will now fall under the male coaching staff.
The selectors will shortlist a 26- member team from which the national team will be named.
(Taken from Kaieteur News)