Handy knocks give Essequibo edge

Essequibo ended the first day in a solid position thanks to useful knocks from their top-order batsmen who kept the National U-17 select bowlers at bay when round two of the Guyana Cricket Board/Hand-in-Hand U-19 3-Day competition commenced at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

Batting first on an overcast Saturday morning, Essequibo after a slightly late start, ended on 261-7 thanks to the fight shown by their batting-heavy top order.
Kurt Lovell starred with four boundaries in his 49 and was unlucky to not reach fifty, a similar fate experienced by skipper Kevin Christian who was out for 45 with five fours.

Nevertheless, impetus was added by handy starts from the likes of Quintin Sampson (38), Mark Ramsammy (30) and Joshua Jones (27), Shane Wong (23) and Orlando Jailall (21) who looked well and should have gone on to significantly add to their stars.
It was hard for the youngsters of the U17 Select namely; Slyvian Williams (2-41) and 3-74 from Marvin Prashad who operated well under some tough bowling conditions.
When Jailall perished at the hands of Williams l, it was Lovell who kept things sturdy as they lost their first wicket with 39 runs on the board.
Lovell played a composed first day innings so too did the skipper as both players sought to grind the U17 bowlers, who toiled for their rewards.
While most of the top-scoring batsmen played cautious knocks; it was unfortunate that none of the Cinderella County boys could press onwards.
After some defiance and the loss of the majority of recognized batsmen, Jones who counterpunched with three fours and two sixes in his unbeaten innings; saw Essequibo to stumps safely with partner Joel Fortune who was unbeaten on 5.
Action continues from 9:00h, weather permitting while the Demerara and Berbice clash will start today at Lusignan Community Centre ground.