MARCH 9, 2011 | BY KAIETEUR NEWS
By Samuel Whyte
A brilliant unbeaten century, 134, by Berbice inter county player Keith Fraser was enough to help the Guyana Fire Service soak the Central Police Operational Youth Club (CPOYC) as they took revenge in the feature 20/20 return softball clash, which was played last Saturday at the Scott Church ground at Princess Elizabeth Road New Amsterdam, Berbice.
Fraser was at his merciless best as he clobbered 10 towering 6s and 11 fours in a savage display as he put together 92 for the 5th wicket in 12 overs with Gilead Hope after their team were stuttering at 22-4 in the 3rd over at one stage in reply to the CPOYC’s formidable total of 177 all out in 19.3 overs.
Fraser, who plays at the senior Inter county level for Berbice, was a one man demolition force as he battered the bowling in a brutal counterattack as the Fire men blazed to victory after a cold start. Fraser brought up his century with a big six over the road into the High Court compound and won the game with a reverse sweep that rocketed into the mid wicket boundary.
The GFS Berbice combination won the toss and asked the CPOYC to take first strike. They batted steady to reach a formable 177 as the GFS leaked runs, Romel Durga top scoring with a well played 82 (7×6,3×4) with other good scores coming from Chrisendat Dhanua 30, Anil Surat 18 and O’Neil Sulkar 16.
Bowling for the GFS, Kevon Edwards 4 for 22, Captain Kwesi Mentore 3-20 and Steffon Adams 2-31 were the wicket takers.
In reply the GFS encountered serious problems early as their top order malfunctioned to be 22-4. Sensing danger it was then Fraser and Hope put some hope back into the innings with their rescue act, with their partnership taking the score to 111 in the 15th over. Hope made 27(2×4). Charles Quintyn was the next best scorer with 12 as the GFS reached 181-6 in 18.3 overs.
Bowling for CPOUC Dhanua returned to take 3-37 and Surat2-39.
At the presentation ceremony that followed, the firemen were presented with $30,000 compliments of some Berbice associated business and the New Amsterdam Technical Institute Trophy. The CPOUC received $10,000 compliments of Republic Bank Manager Imran Saccoor and The Naz Inter cafe trophy.
Frazer received the lion share of the individual awards. He took away the Man-of-the-match, Best batsman, highest scorer and most sixes. The Best bowler was fireman Edwards.
CPOUC’s Akbar Khan was the best fielder.
The organizers expressed thanks to several sponsors including NATI, Naz Internet café, Republic bank New Amsterdam Branch, Accountant Clement De Nobrega and company, Sukhpaul Business Enterprise, Ashiek Motor Spares, Blue Ridge Cell phone store, Ramnarace Construction, Amerally sawmill, Sankar Snackette and Groceries, Tomar Duhraj and Yassin Construction among others. Another game would be played shortly.