Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) skipper Chris Barnwell held his nerve during the last over to help his side retain the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Carib Beer T20 title in emphatic fashion after beating arch rivals Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) in Saturday’s thriller played at Bourda.
Raymond Perez was the instrument of DCC’s win thanks to his Man-of-the-man knock of 54 which revived his team after a slight collapse from 60 odd for 6, to a respectable 155-7 from 20 overs.
Champions Again! Captain Christopher Barnwell and teammates in all smiles as the Demerara Cricket retained their First Division T20 title after a thrilling final with Georgetown Cricket Club on Saturday at Bourda
A late flurry from Jahron Byron who slammed 34 from 29 bolstered DCC’s total as all-rounder Ronaldo Ali Mohammed grabbed 3-38 with support coming from Guyana Jaguars left-arm spinner Anthony Adams who captured 2-17.
In the end, with just 7 from 2 deliveries, Barnwell who leaked a six a few deliveries before in the final over, did well to sign off the last two balls with perfection.
DCC snuffed the title from within the grasps of home team who were eager to retain their title on home soil after two years playing away. It was also a great opportunity for Leon Johnson to recapture the title for his club in his last match as Captain.
After Robin Bacchus counterpunched with an aggressive 54 at the top of the order, an unbeaten 46 off 32 with four fours and two maximums from Ali-Mohammed failed to help carry GCC to their total as they were kept to 149-7 in 20 overs.
Former Guyana batsman now Jamaica Scorpions franchise player Trevon Griffith grabbed 3-35 with veteran Dennis Squires grabbing two wickets for the DCC side. Earlier, DCC had a nightmare start after losing big guns; Griffith, Barnwell, Sachin Singh and Tevin Imlach cheaply thanks to some aggressive bowling from Ali-Mohammed and company.
After Perez’s rescue act, DCC were given a chance to walk home with their title and did such after managing to remove GCC opener Jeetendra Sookdeo (17) and skipper Johnson (06), Bacchus was forced to launch an attack.
When Vishaul Singh (01) departed after playing a needless shot, Ali-Mohammed and Martin Pestano Belle who hit two sixes in his 18, released a bit of pressure. Guyana Jaguars player Sherfane Rutherford was hammered at the back end of the innings as the GCC batters looked to step on the gas. The all-rounder went wicket-less for 37 runs and nearly cost his team the match for his wayward bowling at the back end of his spell.
After Barnwell shouldered the responsibility during the last over, seeing his team home safely; he was greeted by his teammates and other supporters who rushed onto the field to celebrate with their team.
The presentation ceremony saw Perez bagging the MVP award but is was Guyana Jaguars batsman Akshaya Persaud who stole the show as he copped numerous awards for his skill during the competition.
Meanwhile, DCC Coach Garvin “Tibsy” Nedd, said he was finally happy to settle the score on GCC’s turf as “talk” had it that DCC who won the title twice at home; could get the job done away. (Clifton Ross)
