Everest Cricket Club defeated Sunrise Cricket Club (SCC) from New York by 117 runs to easily retain their America’s Cup for the sixth consecutive time at the Everest ground yesterday.

After wining the toss and inserting their hosts to take first strike, Sunrise were able to contain the Everest batsmen who made 197-7 off their 40 overs with under-19 batsman Chris Pattandin leading the way with 36 (4×4).

Sauid Drepaul scored 28 (4×4) and Dellon Heyliger 27 (1×6) as Sunildat Ballie bagged 3-37 while Muniram Shivdyal took 2-38 and Ashook Raganandan 2-33.

Sunrise, in reply, were bowled out for a meagre 80 in 23.3 overs with only Shameer Khan 24, offering any resistance to the spin bowling of Troy Gonsalves who took 5-9 from 5.3 overs.

Speaking with Stabroek Sport, captain Ballie shared his disappointment at the loss of the game.

“After restricting Everest to 197 on such a good batting track and failing to get same I am very disappointed at this point of time. Our batting let us down a great lot, not taking anything away from young Gonsalves who bowled a tidy line on a perfect wicket. Nevertheless, we will bounce back and return stronger in the return clash early next year.”

Sunrise CC makes it an annual affair to visit Guyana. They will be returning around early April next year with the aim of winning all their matches and also the Americas Cup in the process.