Shiv Chanderpaul’s ton keeps Essequibo in control

– Upper Corentyne maul Georgetown

Clinton Pestano smashed an unbeaten half century to go along with his 5-fer as Upper Corentyne hammered Georgetown by 5 wickets on the final day of their final round match of the GCB/Jaguars 3-Day League played at Port Mourant on Saturday.
The match saw the winners knocking over Georgetown for 274 in their first innings before amassing a mammoth 440 thanks to tons from Rajiv Ivan and Balchand Baldeo. Georgetown batting a second time managed 277 all out in 69.3 overs with Paul Wintz playing a captain’s knock of 92 while wicket-keeper Dexter Solomon supported with a solid 77.
Their tormentors were the in-form off-spinner Eon Hooper who bagged 4-22 and Pestano who sliced through the order to end with 5-48, leaving their team needing 112 for a win. Georgetown didn’t go down without a fight as fast-bowler Kellon Carmichael gave his side a glimmer of hope with his burst of 4-25.
His spell nearly pulled things back for Georgetown but Pestano who crunched three sixes and three fours and Ivan who chipped in with 23, ensured Upper Corentyne got to 116-5 and over the rope with wickets and overs to spare.
Upper Corentyne has accumulated a total of 78.7 points while Georgetown will be disappointed with their performance this season as they ended with 57.5 points.
East Coast Demerara vs. Upper Demerara/East Bank at Everest
After resuming on 184-3 with the pair of Amir Khan (69*) and Kamesh Yadram (57*) at the crease, East Coast went on to score 298 all out as the two aforementioned batsmen sought to punish the East Bank bowlers.
While Yadram unfortunately got out on 99, Khan carried his bat through to score 104 despite efforts from spinners Sagar Hetheremani (3-44) and Darshan Persaud (3-77). East Bank ended their first innings on 184-9 with their captain Ronaldo AliMohammed hitting 118 not out with support from last man Keon Morris who was unbeaten on 34, trailing by 114 runs with a day remaining.
West Demerara vs. Essequibo at Tuschen
Veteran middle-order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul notched up another ton (119)in his illustrious career as Essequibo piled on 264 all out in their first innings with other contributions coming from Anthony Adams (37) and Chaitram Persaud 40.
In reply, Persaud returned with ball to snap up three wickets, leaving West Demerara reeling at 81-5 at the end of day two’s action, putting the table leaders in a comfortable position heading into the final day.
West Berbice vs. Lower Corentyne at Bush Lot
After day one was washed out with no play followed by a late start to the second day, West Berbice ended day two on 69-1 after 18.3 overs with Raffel Estraidd highlighting with 42 after Lower Corentyne had earlier declared on 74-8 after 21.4 overs after the competition’s leading wicket-taker, Gudakesh Motie’s haul of 5-8.