GCA/ GDA/PAHO U-17 T20…
Transport Sports Club (TSC) and Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) qualified for the final of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/ Guyana Diabetics Association (GDA)/ PAHO Under-17 T20 Tournament after convincing victories in Saturday’s the semifinals.
Played at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground, Bourda, Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) quest to upset TSC in their semifinal clash met a horrendous end as they lost by eight wickets in the first semi-final dubbed ‘The Clash of the Neighbours’ while DCC defeated Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) by 34 runs in the other semifinal.
MSC were humiliated by strong contenders TSC, whose display throughout the tournament has been of high quality.
MSC’s decision to bat first after winning the toss on a pitch with plenty moisture did them no justice as they were limited to 38-9 from the allotment of 20 overs. They lost their first wicket with just eight runs on the board before slipping further into trouble at 28-5 and eventually finishing on a paltry score which was insufficient for a TSC side which remains unbeaten to date.
Talented off spinner Joel Spooner led the way for TSC with 2-5 from four economical overs which contained two maidens. Medium pacer Joshua Wilson and Berbice U-17 skipper Kevlon Anderson also grabbed two wickets as they finished on 2-7 apiece.
In reply, TSC raced to 39-2 in 7.4 overs, with Anderson leading the way with 19 not out and with him at the crease when victory was accomplished was Shamar Yearwood on three.
TSC lost the wickets of Adrian Hinds for six and Jamal Michael for four as Jeremiah Scott and Ray Seecharran captured a wicket apiece.
In the other semifinal national players Sachin Singh and Alphius Bookie secured a comfortable win for DCC. Singh hit three fours in a top score of 49 not out as DCC scored 115-2 in 20 overs while Bookie claimed 4-11 to limit GYO to 81-8 from their quota of 20 overs.
Singh was supported by Ghansham Premchand, who made 23 while Bookie chipped in with 16. Pradesh Balkishun took 2-20 for GYO.
Mark Fredericks 16 not out, Phillip McTurk 15 and Novindra Persaud 12 were the batsmen that reached double figures but failed to guide their team to victory against the medium pace of Bookie and Nkosie Beaton 3-10.
The final is a rematch between the two sides which met in the group stage when TSC got the better of DCC.
With a very strong unit comprising of several national players the Queenstown side will be aiming to turn things around as they seek consecutive titles.
Meanwhile, TSC will be banking once again on a complete team effort to get them across the line. Their unit might not be as powerful as their counterparts but their efforts have already provided positive results to get them to the final.
The first ball is expected to bowl off at 13:00h at the Bourda Ground.
