Berbice demolish Essequibo to win GCB Senior Inter-County title

A dominant bowling effort that was led by another Romario Shepherd four-wicket haul and an early burst from Clinton Pestano has taken Berbice to a crushing win over Essequibo in the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) Senior Inter-County final at Providence, EBD.
In this day/night fixture, which was watched by mostly vocal Essequibians, Berbice demolished Essequibo for a total of 98 runs made in 33.5 overs, with Shepherd – in his second four-wicket haul against Essequibo this season — claiming 4-26 in eight overs. Pestano, who shared the new ball, had 3-20 in six overs. Gudakesh Motie had 2-18 in his eight overs, while Veerasammy Permaul had 1-6 in 4.5 overs.

Essequibo began their innings poorly, losing Nathan Persaud for a duck. He was bowled all ends up by the impressive Shepherd with the score at 8-1. In fact, the Essequibo top order was blown away, and had not the final pair of Antony Adams, with an unbeaten 23, and Garfield Phillips, with 12, added 41 runs for the last wicket, the Essequibo total would not have reached 98.
The in-form Kemol Savory, who unfortunately contributed six runs to the Essequibo total as he continued his struggles against Berbice, was bowled by Shepherd with a delivery that seamed in; but was also dropped on zero by substitute fielder Eon Hooper.
Pestano, whose fitness has shown improvement, also worked wonders with the occasional short ball, by which he removed Kevon Boodie (07) and Eknauth Persaud (06), but his most important wicket was Keemo Paul, whom he took out for a duck.

Pestano delivered a ball that moved away from Paul, and Paul was caught at second slip by Kevin Sinclair.
Antony Adams, whose 23 topped the scores, displayed the kind of resistance that was a hallmark of the Essequibo team throughout this season. He batted for 111 minutes, faced 81 balls, and hit two fours during the 41-run stand. His partner Phillips, who was dismissed leg-before by Permaul, produced 12 runs after facing 51 balls in an innings that lasted for 77 minutes. That partnership unveiled the raw courage of the Essequibo side, although they lacked the killer instincts that the Berbice side displayed.