Barataria Ball Players won their second North Zone 40-over title in four years, beating Savannah Boys in a rematch of the 2022 final on Sunday.
At the Queen’s Royal College Grounds, Barataria opening bowlers Vaughn Browne and Derron Wilson pressured Savannah Boys early, reducing their rivals to 48 for 6.
Ravindra Naidoo and Chetram Ramlall fought back to drag Savannah Boys to 156, with Christopher DaSilva and Marlon Phillip taking two wickets apiece.
Barataria raced to the target in 19.3 overs with openers Kevis John and Joey Samuel setting up 66 for the first wicket.
John raced past the half-century mark and pummeled 66 runs in boundaries to end on 91 not out to seal victory for Barataria Ball Players.
When the teams met in the 2022 final, it was a close affair with Barataria Ball Players winning by six runs with two late wickets.
Barataria had batted first in the previous final, but Savannah Boys won the toss and decided to bat this time.
They may have regretted the decision as Barataria took three quick wickets for only 16 runs.
Wilson removed Praveen Ali for 5, before Browne got rid of Naresh Persaud for 9.
Barataria stalwart Carl Vialva then shattered Verune Ramnarine’s stumps (3) to reduce Savannah Boys to 16 for 3.
DaSilva was introduced and removed the dangerous Riaff Ali for 8 before Marlon Phillip had Aneesh Sookoo caught for 12.
Eventual top-scorer Ravindra Naidoo was already in but was involved in the first-ball run-out of Ameer Ali for a duck at 48 for 6.
Savannah Boys’ slow climb upwards began with a 35-run stand for the seventh wicket between Naidoo (35) and Vijai Teemal.
Pradeem Ali (19) and the evergreen Chetram Ramlall added 44 for the ninth wicket before the latter was last out for 27.
Savannah Boys produced 156 off 29.2 overs and knew they had to take a leaf out of the Barataria bowlers’ book to defend their score.
Opening bowlers Wilson (2/32) and Browne (2/20) made the initial inroads, with Phillip (2/36) and Christopher (2/22) finishing the job.
With only 157 to defend, the Savannah Boys could not afford to allow the Barataria Ball Players off to a flier.
However, that’s exactly what Barataria, Kevis John, and Joey Samuels scripted.
The Ball Players’ opening pair razed 66 off only eight overs before Samuels, who played a critical role in the 2022 win, departed for 21.
The next two batsmen, Matthias Ramdular and Phillip, went cheaply, but it would not matter as John was totally in command of the situation.
John blazed 12 fours and three sixes and crowned Barataria champions again at the end of a 33-run stand with Sheldon Thomas (17*).
He ended on 91 not out from only 59 balls in a superlative innings that brought his team a championship again.
Barataria also lost to Police Sports Club in the 2023 final and has now qualified for three of the last four finals, a formidable achievement.
Barataria Ball Players beat the Harvard Club by 35 runs in the semifinals, while Savannah Boys eased past North Side Future Stars by five wickets.
Santa Cruz Sports and promoted team El Socorro Youth Movement shared the title after rain washed out the 2024 final.
Summarized scores: Savannah Boys 156 in 29.2 overs (Ravindra Naidoo 35, Chetram Ramlall 27; Vaughn Browne 2/20, Christopher DeSilva 2/22, Derron Wilson 2/32, Marlon Phillip 2/36) vs. Barataria Ball Players 160 for 3 in 19.3 ovwrs (Kevis John 91*, Joey Samuel 21; Aneesh Sookoo 1/13, Pradeem Ali 1/22, Chetram Ramlall 1/41). Barataria won by seven wickets
