Chanderpaul, Shepherd star in West Demerara’s 31-run victory

– Crandon hits 1st century

West Demerara was indebted to the returning Guyana Jaguars opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul who struck four boundaries in his top-score of 70 which laid the platform for their 31-run win over East Bank in first round of the Jaguars’ 50-over Franchise League at the Everest Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
Chanderpaul helped West Demerara to 167-10 in 41.2 overs as Safraz Esau was the next best scorer with 35. The batting lineup suffered from regular losses of wickets thanks to the East Bank duo of skipper Ronaldo Alimohamed with figures of 3-26 and Trevor France (3-29) while seasoned all-round spinner Steven Jacobs ended with 2-35.

Chasing 168, East Bank folded for 136 all out in 37.3 overs with Jacobs resisting with 28 while support came from Sachin Singh (23) and Quazim Yusuf (22). However, their innings proved futile as West Dem pacer Romario Shepherd ripped through the to-order to end with 3-23 and off-spinner Richie Looknauth supporting with 3-32.
*Imam Bacchus Ground in Essequibo*
Essequibo opened their account with a crushing 79-run win over West Berbice. Batting first, Essequibo ended on 189-9 from 30 overs compliments of knocks from Kevon Boodie (35), along with 34 apiece from Kemol Savory and Ricardo Adams.
Youth player Kevon Sinclair was the pick of the West Berbice bowlers with 4-30 but his teams never got out the blocks during the chase and were rolled over for 111 in 28.3 overs. Steffon Adams was the top-scorer with an unbeaten 21 as Adams bagged 4-28 to help set up a comfortable win.
*Albion Ground, Berbice*
Georgetown won the toss and inserted Lower Corentyne to have a first knock, to which they made a whopping 249 for 6 with former Guyana/ West Indies batsman Royston Crandon hitting the first century of the competition with 101 off 121 balls.
Jonathon Foo chipped in with 34 while useful hands were played by Devon Clements (35) and Jason Sinclair (38). Bowling for Georgetown, Paul Wintz and Ashmead Nedd snapped up two wickets each while Jamaican-born Franchise player, Ramaal Lewis and spinner Steven Sankar, claimed a wicket each.
Georgetown were then blown away by 131 runs after folding for a meager 136 with Shemroy Barrington (29), with 22 apiece from Lewis and Wintz. The damage was led by left-arm national spinner Veerasammy Permaul who continued his top form from the Regional 4-Day, ending with 4-26 with support coming from Crandon 3-11.
*Port Mourant Cricket Ground, Berbice*
East Coast won the toss and elected to bat first Brian Sattaur was out lbw by Rajiv Ivan for 29, Steve Ramdass contributed with 28. Young Bhaskar Yadram also contributed with 15 before he was bowled by Balchand Baldeo, along with Kamesh Yadram who had so far top scored with 41runs. East Coast was at 183 for 5 at lunch after 42 overs. As play continued after lunch Ameer Khan Whipped up an acceptable 52 while Pradesh Balkishun was cheaply ran out by David Latchaya for 3 runs. Upper Corentyne was bowled out for 252 in 48.4 overs.