Ramnauth’s 147* helps Berbice crush Essequibo by 257 runs

Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter-county tournament…

– Demerara humble President’s XI by 169 runs

By Brandon Corlette

In the second round of the Dave West Indian Imports-sponsored U-15 Inter-county tournament, Berbice and Demerara registered contrasting victories in their respective encounters at Lusignan and Everest.
Berbice’s Rampertab Ramnauth was the star of the day, hitting an unbeaten century at Lusignan. Zachary Jodah and Jadan Campbell were among the star

performers for Demerara.

Essequibo XI v Berbice
In the match at Lusignan between Essequibo and Berbice, Captain Isaiah Thorne

won the toss and opted to bat first. The Berbicians’ opening batsmen in Ramnauth and Avishkar Persaud went out to bat in scintillating sunshine after the early morning showers on the East Coast.
Port Mourant’s Ramnauth, the elegant left-handed opener struck an impressive unbeaten 147 to lead the Berbicians to a daunting 290-3 in 50 overs. He received support from Albion’s Tameshwar Mahadeo, who stroked his way to a classy 54.
The new-look opening pair of Ramnauth and Persaud added 98 runs in just 18 overs. Persaud, who is playing his first game this season, was out leg before to Civion Arokium for an attractive 28 to a ball that kept low. It was then the Ramnauth and Mahadeo show as they made the Essequibo bowlers toil.
Ramnauth played each ball on its merit in his chanceless innings while Mahadeo played the supporting role. The duo added 147 runs for the second- wicket

partnership after Mahadeo was out caught for 54, including three boundaries, off the bowling of Essequibo Vice Captain Gladewin Henry.
Arokium then struck for the second time in the match when he removed Christopher Deoroop for eight via the stump-out route. Kelvin Samuels was unbeaten on four while Ramnauth remained unbeaten on a superb 147, including

eight elegant boundaries.
Bowling for Essequibo, Arokium had 2-33 in five overs while Henry had 1-44 in seven overs. In reply, Essequibo were blown away for 33 all out in 22.3 overs as only one Essequibo batsman reached double figures. Sarwan Bishram was the one batter to reach 11 in the poor batting display.
The Captain did not bowl a ball in the destruction, as it was again Matthew Pottaya grabbing 3-12 in six overs as he continued his impressive tournament. Bhaskar Dhani had 2-4 in six overs while Salim Khan had 2-2 in 5.3 overs. Deoroop had 1-10 in six overs. Berbice, in a complete performance, won by 257 runs.

Demerara v President’s XI
In the action from Everest Cricket Club, the home team, Demerara won the toss

and opted to bat first. Led by Jadan Campbell’s scintillating 81 and Zachary Jodah’s unbeaten 53, Demerara scored 270-7 in their 50 overs. Demerara lost left-handed opener Romeo Deonarine for four when he was trapped in front by the impressive Sachin Balgobin.
Windies U-16 player Mavindra Dindyal, batting at number three, then partnered Campbell and the pair added 65 runs together. Dindyal was out leg before by Berbician Sanjay Algoo for a brisk 41 hitting four boundaries and two sixes.
Captain Alvin Mohabir scored 21, hitting one boundary, but it was Jodah who rode his luck after being dropped off the bowling of Sachin Balgobin. After a 65-run fourth-wicket partnership, Campbell was run out for 81 after hitting nine boundaries.
Jodah, who is a National U-15 player, was unbeaten on 53 hitting four boundaries in his solid innings. The President’s XI bowlers shared the wickets among

themselves as Demerara ended on 270-7 in 50 overs. In reply, the President’s XI fell short of the target by 169 runs when they were bowled out for 102 in 42.3 overs.
Only Satya France offered resistance with a solid 34. Jodah after scoring an unbeaten 53 with the bat returned with ball in hand and grabbed 3-23 in 8.3 overs. Dhanesh Persaud had 2-9 while Joash Charles, Krsna Singh, Vishal Persaud and Omari Lalbachan had one wicket each in a disciplined bowling effort.
The third round of matches will continue from Thursday, February 28, with Demerara clashing with Essequibo at Everest while Berbice will play the President’s XI at Lusignan.