GCA cricket fixtures continue…
Over the weekend in the Noble House Seafoods second-division two-day semi-finals, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) overcame Malteenoes Sports Club in one of the most exhilarating performances in a rain-affected affair to earn a draw and advance to the finals.
Bernard Bailey was able to hold on to his wicket to help GCC avoid defeat
Playing at the iconic Bourda Cricket Ground, Malteenoes elected to bat first, and were able to set a commanding total of 211-5 (declared) as play commenced in the afternoon owing to inclement weather, as they needed to bowl out GCC for less than 212 runs to advance to finals based on points. In response, GCC were able to amass 212 all out as Marlon Persaud was the only batsman to reach 15; the chief tormentor for Malteenoes were Nkosie Barker, who snagged 4-17 and pacer Cordell Mars supporting with 2-16. As play commenced, Mars was able to extract bounce from the pitch as he claimed his first victim, Kemraj Jaikaran, for 1, leaving the score at 1-1. As Timothy McCalmont came to the crease, he looked in great form as he hooked Barker for four to get his team off to a start; however, he misread an arm ball and it resulted in his off stump being removed to leave the score at 11-2.
But the action was not over as the in-form Barker returned to capture Deonarine Seegobin for 9. As the score had now moved on to 31-3, with the innings now needing to be rebuilt in came West Indies U-19 and recently selected Super50 candidate Renaldo Ali-Mohamed, who carelessly gave away his wicket to Wayne Bollers to leave the score at 54-4. With Mohamed now back in the pavilion, the MSC players were poised for victory. Chevam Persaud was bowled for naught by pacer Mars to now take the score to 56-6 and give MSC a chance in the finals. Barker then returned to pick up his fourth wicket to leave GCC at 67-7; however, Bernard Bailey managed to last the remaining 38 balls as he scored 12 and was supported by Ansuggna Rodrigues, who contributed eight to survive the innings scare. Despite GCC not taking the lead in the first innings, they eventually were saved as they emerged table toppers in their respective zone to advance to the finals against Police this weekend.
Over the weekend, pertinent cricket fixtures will continue as per norm, starting tomorrow in the GCA Friends of Cricket Under-17 Tournament. MSC will face off against Transport Sports Club at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) Ground. This match is scheduled to start at 09:30h.
The New Building Society (NBS) Second Division 40-Over Tournament will continue with the in-form Guyana Defence Force (GDF) attempting to detain Police at the GDF Ground while Diplomats will be duking it out with GNIC at the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) Ground. On Sunday, December 2, 2018, the NBS tournament will continue as GCC will see off GDF at GCC and TSC will tackle 3rd Class at Everest Cricket Ground. GYO will then face off against MSC at the GYO Ground , while Diplomats will attempt to overthrow the UG Trojans at the GDF Ground; in the final match of the day at MYO, GNIC will be facing MYO. All matches are scheduled to commence at 10:30h.
