GCA’s GISE, Trophy Stall, Star Party Rentals 1st Division two-day cricket…
By Akeem Greene
Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) made handsome strides in a bid to win the final of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) First Division Two-day competition, sponsored by General Industrial Supplies Enterprise (GISE), Trophy Stall and Star Party Rentals.
Playing against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) at the GCC ground, Bourda, they secured first innings points on Saturday.
Christopher Barnwell
At close of play, DCC were 184-5 in response to GDF’s 163 all out, a lead of 21 heading into today’s final day, with Dennis Squires and Kemol Savoury at the crease, but both yet to score.
When the Queenstown side began their innings, GDF’s Romario Shepherd, who steamed in from the North Road end, caused some early trouble, as he got Brian Sattaur (06) to pull at a delivery and was taken by the keeper.
Shepherd then sent the stumps of Kevon Boodie (00) tumbling as DCC were now in a spot of bother at 10-2.
The lanky right-arm seamer continued his fierce opening spell, but the pair of Christopher Barnwell and Tevin Imlach weathered the storm to take DCC to tea at 44-2, with Barnwell on 31 and Imlach on six.
After a quiet period after tea, Barnwell returned to his usual fluency as he brought up his 50 from 52 balls, hitting 10 fours.
The right-hander, at that time, had spent 135 minutes at the crease, and propelled his team to 72 -2.
Just as Barnwell looked to register his third century of the competition, he hit a full toss from leg-spinner Randy Lindore straight to deep mid-wicket for an eye-catching 70 (13x4s), adding 84 for the third wicket with Imlach.
Jamal Hinkson, who came to the crease and hit his first ball for six over deep mid-wicket, kept the high intensity throughout his innings, while Imlach began to grow in stature as he played some neatly timed drives, including a chip to Lindore that resulted in six straight down the ground.
Just as the elegant right-hander was sending signals of a second successive half-century, he retired hurt on 45, after sharing a 62-run partnership with Hinkson.
Hinkson continued his aggressive style of play, with some thumping drives, but fell leg before to Shepherd for an attractive 47 (5x4s).
Jahron Byron (11) fell via the run out route to place at DCC 181-5 with Shepherd taking 3-21 thus far.
Earlier in the day, DCC won the toss and elected to bowl which paid immediate dividend as the medium-pace of Barnwell accounted for Quacey McPherson (00) then Hakeem Hinds (01).
As with most GDF batsmen, Kevin Ramdeen fell for 23 after getting a start and the soldiers slid to 38-4.
Ishwar Singh (24), Randy Lindore (25), Shepherd (22) and Jeremiah Harris 22 not out, all made handy scores, but none were able to form a big partnership to post a challenging total.
Barnwell ended with 3-36 and left-arm spinner Totoram Bishun 3-38, while Paul Wintz took 2-19.
Play will start today at 09:30h.
