Ministry of Education/Guyana Cricket Board/National Sports Commission secondary schools semi-final

Ascension Community High School of Georgetown defeated West Demerara’s L’aventure Secondary School by 22 runs in a semi-final encounter of the Ministry of Education/Guyana Cricket Board/National Sports Commission secondary schools cricket competition on Wednesday at the Demerara Cricket Club ground.

The West Demerara team was dismissed for 109 in 25 overs in reply to Ascension’s 131 all out made in 24.5 overs.

L’aventure’s skipper Safraz Esau won the man-of-the-match award after taking two wickets and scoring 48 not out in a losing cause.

L’aventure was tottering at one stage on 30-7 and seemed likely to be dismissed below the half century mark. But Esau and Michael Downer put on 42 for the eighth wicket. When Downer departed Esau added a further 29 runs with Othneil Cupidore before Cupidore was run out without scoring.

Last man Otto Sobers was also run out without scoring as L’aventure was bowled out for 109.

Devon Smith with 3-40 and Christopher Dick 2-10 led the Ascension bowling.

Earlier, Ascension won the toss and batted first on a rain-affected wicket which saw them losing opener Travis Walton (0), skipper Dexter Solomon (6) Darrel Fredericks (0) and Devon Smith (0) to be on the rocks at 35-4.

When Dinesh Ramnauth bowled Roger Morgan for 30 the score was 54-5.

But Devon Sarius, batting at number six, found useful partners in Akeem Holder (12) and Peter Thomas. Sarius scored 43 including six fours which helped Ascension reach 130 all out

Michael Downer 3-20, Travis Cato, 2-18 and Esau 2-36 were the principal wicket-takers for L’aventure.

The man-of-the-match trophy was donated by Trophy Stall of Bourda market.

Ascension will now play the yet-to-be-determined East Coast winner.