Albion, aided by ten dropped catches, beat South Essequibo by five wickets in one national semi-final of the Republic Bank U-15 50-overs-a-side cricket competition at Blairmont yesterday.
South Essequibo put in an indifferent fielding performance as, apart from the dropped catches there were many mis-fielding mistakes some of which resulted in overthrows.
The Cinderella County team won the toss and chose to bat. They immediately found the going tough as the diminutive 11-year-old Gudakesh Moti applied pressure with an excellent 10-over spell in which he picked up two wickets for 11 runs.
The first five South Essequibo batsmen could hardly get the ball of the square and the team’s first 50 came up in 27.3 overs.
Richard Sieucharran, batting at number six, provided some respectability to the total stroking a mature 43 including five fours.
Only one other batsman reached double figures. Off-spinner Verapen Permaul, younger brother of national left-arm orthodox spinner Versammy Permaul, picked up two wickets for 22 runs from six overs. Two of South Essequibo’s better batsmen were needlessly run-out which contributed to them closing at an inadequate 125 for nine after 46 overs.
The match, which was played mostly in cool conditions, was reduced to 46 overs due to the late arrival of the Albion team.
Albion responded cautiously. With the score on 19 opener Safraz Khan retired hurt with leg cramps.
Harrinarine Chattergoon and Devindra Pottaya then took Albion to 55-0 before the latter was stumped by Devinash Ramnarace of the bowling of Devindra Persaud for 16.
Chattergoon led the Albion batting with 60 not out but was dropped three times as the Berbice side passed the score in the 40th over for the loss of five wickets.
Albion will play the winner of the Diamond versus Tucber Park match scheduled for Bourda today.
The final is scheduled for Saturday at Bourda.
