Demerara brush aside Essequibo to win consecutive U-17 titles

GCB/Bel Air Rubis U-17 Inter-County Tournament…

Story and Photos By Brandon Corlette

The Demerara team completed a clean sweep in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Bel Air Rubis U-17 Inter-County Tournament to claim their second championship win at this level in as many years.

Demerara won by 34 runs against a spirited Essequibo team at GCC Bourda in the match which was witnessed by a colourful crowd.
Having won the toss, Demerara elected to bat first. Anthony Khan and Ajay Gainda added 30 runs together in 7.1 overs. Khan, who was trapped by Romal Hubbard made 15 from 20 balls.
Jaden Campbell, who played with urgency, had made a 10-ball 18 which included four boundaries. At 56-2, Mavindra Dindyal and Ginda joined forces and added 36 runs for the third wicket.

Ginda, who looked uncertain in his approach, was run out for a 51-ball 20 which included two fours. The West Indies youth player and eventual player of the final, Dindyal, looked at his elegant best. He welcomed off-spinner Jarred Allicock with two classy fours, which were followed by an array of classical shots. Dindyal who was forward early, was caught and bowled by a Ryan Atkinson delivery that stopped in the pitch. The right-handed Dindyal made a shot-filled 40 from 45 balls, decorated with four boundaries and one six.
Demerara were 120-4 at that stage, and Essequibo chipped away with wickets. Despite some extras on offer by the Essequibo bowlers, they still picked up wickets. Captain Zachary Jodah was the next man dismissed, at 134-5, after scoring 12 from 29 balls.

Demerara then lost their final five wickets for 34 runs, closing the innings on 168 all out in 41.2 overs.
Aryan Persaud finished with 3-27, while Atkinson grabbed 3-33 in 10 overs. Hubbard ended with 2-28 in four overs.
In response, Essequibo reached 15-1 at lunch. Essequibo were reduced to 53-4, but Ronaldo Scouten came and entertained Bourda with his big hitting. The left-handed Scouten, who comes from a rich cricketing family, struck four huge sixes in his colourful knock of 34 from 30 balls.
Nicko Vincent made 19, while captain Persaud made seven from 46 balls.
In the bowling department for Demerara, Rudranauth Kissoon claimed 4-25 in his 10 overs of off-spin, while Alvin Mohabir had 2-19 in 10 overs.
Meanwhile, in the match at Everest, Berbice Trophy Stall U-17 Team won by eight wickets. After Guyana Select U-15 Team had won the toss, they were bowled out for 97 after Leon Cecil sprung surprises with his off-spin. He ended with impressive figures of 6-14 in in 9.3 overs, including a hat trick.
Jonathan Rampersaud ended with 3-23 in 10 overs in a dominant display by the Berbice lads. Nicholas Sheopersaud top-scored with 27 for Select U-15s. In reply, first round half-centurion Mahendra Gopilall led Berbice Trophy Stall U-17s reply by scoring a 53-ball 54. He slammed eight fours in his impressive innings.
Hemendra Gordyal made an unbeaten 30 from 54 balls, which included four boundaries as Berbice ended on 98-2 in 21.4 overs.