A weakened Demerara Under-17 team clinched victory over Guyana Under-15 by 20 runs in their opening bout of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/ Igloo Ice Cream Under-17 Inter County Tournament on Tuesday at the Georgetown Cricke Club (GCC) Ground, Bourda.
Playing without two of their marquee players, Ashmead Nedd and Sachin Singh, who arrived at the venue minutes after they were asked to arrive, Demerara opting to bat first crawled to 168-9 in 50 overs. Hemnauth Dindyal 25 and Jeremiah Scott 22, who batted in the middle order along with Pradesh Ballkishun 18, were the main contributors in the innings.
Sheldon Charles 3-39 and Hansraj Harilall were outstanding with the ball for the U15s who impressed throughout the day.
Their reply was off to a reasonable start as Sheldon Yearwood (12) and Ricardo Ramdehol (43), who was the top scorer, added 35 for the first wicket before the former was dismissed. Charles made 21 batting at three.
Algu during his top score of 81 for Berbice
The U15 batsmen kept their team in the hunt for the target but no one capitalized on good starts to play a match winning innings to ensure an upset.
Ballkishun who was named man of the match for his efforts with bat and ball took 2-12 from 10 impressive overs while Kester McAllister 2-6 claimed two scalps.
West Indies U-16 player Qumar Torrington and Jeremiah Scott also bowled well in the latter overs for the eventual winners, combining to restrict the flow of runs to create pressure which enable a few run outs and some reckless shot selections.
Meanwhile, across at the Everest Cricket Club Ground Berbice had an easier task against Essequibo, who lost by 115 runs in a lopsided affair.
The Ancient County made 215 all out in 49.1 overs, compliment of aggressive opener Alex Algu who accounted for eight fours and three sixes in a top score of 81. Gevon Shultz and Kevin Omroa supported with 32 and 26 respectively.
Reyaz Khan, Lance Roberts and Bodesh Parsatan captured two wickets apiece for the Cinderella County, who was dismissed for a paltry 100 in 28.5 overs replying to Berbice. Roberts made 28.
Shultz completed a good day at the office with figures of 4-21 to add to his performance with the bat. Omroa also enjoy a good all round day, snaring 3-21 while Nigel Deodat took 2-28.
The second round will be played on Thursday with the third set for Saturday.
