Foo, Smith star in Lower Corentyne’s tense win over Essequibo

Story and photos by Brandon Corlette

Sealed with a Nial Smith-boundary over the off-side at a packed Young Warriors Ground yesterday, Lower Corentyne sneaked past Essequibo by two wickets in the fifth round of the SBF Petroleum CGI 50-overs Franchise League. As the decisive lighting looms the Cumberland Ground in East Canje, it was a Jonathan Foo who scored a masterful 86 that kept Lower Corentyne in the match, chasing Essequibo’s 196.

Essequibo had earlier began the day with the bat, scoring 195-9 in their allotted 50 overs. Skipper Anthony Adams top-scored with a responsible 50 while the impressive fast bowler, Smith had 4-54 as the pick of the Lower Corentyne bowlers. Essequibo opener, Kevon Boddie continued came out with intent scoring a rapid 34 from 32 balls. Kemol Savory with three half-centuries already in this tournament scored 35 from 85 balls. He featured in a 58-run partnership with a consistent Quinten Sampson who scored 37 from 41 balls.

In addition to Smith’s 4-wicket haul Foo with his off-spin bowled brilliantly with 2-20 in 10 overs, including one maiden. He was also on a hat trick after removing Boodie and Ricardo Adams for a golden duck. Veerasammy Permaul and Kelvin Umroa had one wicket each.
As Lower Corentyne openers went out to bat, they had their 12th man up and running, the loud crowd at Young Warriors. Both Adrian Sukwah (02) and Junior Sinclair (00) failed to contribute as well as Kevlon Anderson (05). The West Indies Under-19 selectee who looked at his solid best attempted a sweep shot and was bowled all over by Anthony Adams. In came the savior, Albion’s big hitter and the well-known Foo. He lost Maxie De Jounge (10) but he found a reliable partner in Seon Hetmyer. The dynamic duo added 62 runs to take the game deep.

Foo was at his brilliant best, smashing the ball with elegance and grace. He literally destroyed one of the fastest bowlers in the tournament, Ronsford Beaton taking his four 17 runs in five balls. Beaton left the field after Foo’s onslaught with a hamstring niggle. Seon, the elder Hetmyer brother entertained his home crowd with some delightful shots in his 57-ball 33 that included five fours.

The pugnacious Foo who sliced one to backward point and gifted his wicket away, smashed seven fours and four sixes in his 86, his second 80-plus score of the season. After Foo departed it was the resurrection of Jason Sinclair. The classy right-hander played some crisp on drives as he backed up his sharp gloves work behind the stumps in the first innings.
Jason, the elder brother of Junior hit a vital 17 but it was Smith’s unbeaten 26 from 23 balls which included five sweet fours, took Lower Corentyne over the line in the virtual final. Ricardo and Akinie Adams had two wickets each, in a game that had all the entertainment, form umpiring miss -checking overs and making some surprising decisions Foo was awarded player of the match for his all-round brilliance.

The penultimate round of the tournament will continue on Tuesday West Berbice will meet Georgetown at Everest, Essequibo will meet East Coast at Lusignan, East Bank will play Upper Corentyne at GCC while West Demerara will meet Lower Corentyne at Albion.