Hicks’ ton leads RHTYSC to six-wicket win over YWCC

From Romario Samaroo in Berbice

Delbert “Trixie” Hicks rolled back the years with an unbeaten ton to hand Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club Thunderbolts a six-wicket victory over Young Warriors Cricket Club yesterday at Area H Ground.

Playing with a heat wave in effect in the second round of the Berbice Cricket Board Stag Beer 50-overs-a-side, first-division competition, Young Warriors won the toss and opted to take first strike on the dry and dusty ground, in total contrast to the lush, green vegetation surrounded ground.

With the heavy wind cooling down the players as well as the handful of boisterous spectators, Young Warriors posted 168 all out in 49 overs. The hosts responded with 169-4 in just 29.2 overs after being 18-4 early on.

Thunderbolts were in total disarray after the first seven overs as left-arm spinner, Trevon Stanislaus, tore through the top order to claim 424.

Kevin Sinclair, who favoured the sweep shot, had his middle stump pegged back for a sevenball duck while Jason Sinclair was caught and bowled for six.

Junior Sinclair (10) who was caught at cover and Jonthan Rampersaud, who failed to offer a shot, were dismissed off successive deliveries.

Skipper Eon Hooper and Hicks forged an unbroken partnership of 151 to take the game away from the electrifying Young Warriors side.

Hooper played the supporting role with 33 not out from 48 balls with three boundaries.

However, it was the 35year-old, former national player, Hicks, whose 79ball 106 made the difference. Hicks’ innings was calculated ball-for-ball to get himself settled before launching a vicious attack to a hapless bowling line up.

Hicks’ brought life to the desert-like atmosphere, hitting eight fours and six sixes, half of which were smashed into the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School compound over the sight screen.

The left-hander, with over 20 years experience at the first-division level later told Stabroek Sport…“What happened was when we lost the three early wickets, I knew I had to consolidate and Hooper and I had to bat long and deep and my Delbert Hicks downplays his celebration in reaching his half century (Romario Samaroo photo)

intention was to bat long as possible.”

Reflecting on his innings he added, “After, it got easier and we took a few risks which we got rewards for but it was ‘Hoops’ who played on merit well and provided the partner I needed out there.”

Earlier, Linden Austin (23) at the top of the order,

found himself in search of partners when Vishal Mohabir attempted to pull a delivery from left-arm spinner, Keith Simpson but only managed a top edge that popped into the hands of short fine-leg.

Alex Algoo and Seon Hetmyer provided brief resistance with 23 and 13 respectively but Sampson would return to dent the Trevon Stanislaus tore through the Thunderbolts’ top order (Romario Samaroo photo)

revival of Young Warriors with two quick wickets before eventually ending with 3-31.

Kassim Khan, however, late in the innings top scored with 34 from 49 balls to see his team posting a decent total. He stroked two fours and a lone six before being run out.

Junior Sinclair and

Hooper took two wickets for 28 and 25 runs respectively.

In the other matches in the second round, Port Mourant lost to Skeldon Titans while Upper Corentyne defeated Albion. Both of the losing sides played under protest while the final match of the round saw Tucber Park beating Blairmont.