Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter-County tournament…
By Brandon Corlette
In the first round of the Dave West Indian Imports Under-15 Inter-County tournament, Demerara opened their account on a winning note by defeating Berbice by 55 runs at Bourda.
Under glorious sunshine at the historic Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground at Bourda, Demerara U-15 won the toss and opted to bat first, scoring 166-7 in 50 overs.
Opening batsmen Jadan Campbell and Romeo Deonarin went out to bat, and consolidated brilliantly, playing the likes of Isiah Thorne on merit. With the score on 65, the boys from the ancient county got their first breakthrough.
The left-handed Deonarin was out via the run out route after scoring 10 runs. His fellow opener Campbell, known for hitting the ball solidly and soundly, top scored
Player of the match Krsna Singh celebrates
for Demerara with 35 after hitting three boundaries.
He was removed by the ‘magician’ Matthew Pottaya as Demerara were reduced to 68-2.
Then Windies U-16 star Mavindra Dindyal began steering the Demerara ship. Dindyal lost his partner Captain Alvin Mohabir for a duck when he was out trapped in front by Pottaya, who is known as ‘little Narine’. Thaddeas Lovell then stuck around with Dindyal, but Demerara lost their fourth wicket at 112-4.
Dindyal was run out for 22, hitting one boundary in his innings. Lovell was then out caught for his composed knock of 34, which included three fours. Guyana U-15 player Zachary Jodah, batting at number six, hit 11 before he became Pottaya’s fourth wicket.
Demerara ended their innings on 166-7 on a slow track at Bourda. Bowling for the Berbicians, Pottaya claimed 4-27 in 10 impressive overs which included three maidens.
Niquan Samuels was the other wicket-taker, with 1-32 in five overs, as two players were dismissed by the run out route.
The likes of the faster bowlers in Thorne and company were less effective on this pitch.
In pursuit of the target, Berbice got off to a steady start, with Tucber Park’s Ravishkar Sobhai and Port Mourant’s Rampertab Ramnauth at the top of the innings. After adding 61 runs for the opening partnership, wickets fell at regular intervals for the Berbicians.
Sobhai was run out for 14 after facing 26 overs. The elegant left-handed Ramnauth was the top scorer with 37 that included two boundaries. After the openers reaching double figures, only Damion Cecil batting at number 9 scored 10 runs.
Demerara were outstanding with the ball. After several errors in the field, they
Rampertab Ramnauth (Brandon Corlette photos)
eventually bowled out Berbice for 110 in exactly 50 overs. Krsna Singh was superb with ball in hand. Bowling his off-spin, he was rewarded with 3-14 from 10 brilliant overs.
Adjudged player of the match, Singh bowled three maidens. Captain Alvin Mohabir, bowling his off-spin, captured 2-13 in seven overs, while fast bowler Lovell grabbed 2-8 in 2 overs. Joash Charles had 1-16 in Demerara’s complete bowling performance.
In the other match, played at Everest, GCB President’s XI defeated Essequibo by six wickets. Essequibo took first strike and scored 116 all out. Bowling for President’s XI, Sachin Balgobin grabbed 4-13. In reply, President’s XI raced to 117-4, with opener Anthony Khan scoring an even half-century to see his team home.
The matches continue today at Lusignan and Everest. Berbice will play Essequibo at Lusignan and Demerara will play President’s XI at Everest.
