Ramoutar steals spotlight in ECC softball fundraiser

An unbeaten 86 from opener Deryck Ramoutar helped steer Floodlights A team to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Enmore A in a fundraising double softball encounter for the Enmore Cricket Club (ECC) at the Enmore Community Centre ground last Sunday.

Ramesh Sunich (right) and Deryck Ramoutar after their 121-run second wicket partnership.
Ramesh Sunich (right) and Deryck Ramoutar after their 121-run second wicket partnership.

Enmore A won the toss and opted to take first strike and found themselves in an early spot of bother when they lost former national wicketkeeper/batsman Sheik Mohammed who was bowled by Ramchand Ragbeer for three in the second over.

They struggled after his departure but managed to reach a respectable total of 166 for 9 from their allotted 25 overs, thanks to Karamchand Etwaroo who led the recovery with a patient 49 and Jailall Deodass who made a swashbuckling 35.
In reply, Ramoutar led Floodlights A to 168-2 from 22 overs. He shared a 121 runs second wicket partnership with Ramesh Sunich (35), which guided their team to safety and eventually victory. With Ramoutar at the end was skipper Bedi Ramjewan on 14.

In the second match featuring Floodlights B and Enmore B, Floodlights B were asked to take first strike and scored 175 for 6 in 20 overs with Randy Ketwaroo hitting a classy 71 not out. He was well supported by George Dilchand 25 and Rajin Mohammed 24.

But their total was a huge mountain for Enmore B, who fell 10 runs short even though they lost eight wickets.  Rishi Dumay top scored with 45.

Acting skipper Dharam Persaud standing in for Reaz Hussain who was engaged in a Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) second division 20/20 match, was the main bowler, taking 4-23 off his allotted four overs.

At the presentation ceremony, the Floodlights team made a generous donation of $200,000 to the Enmore Cricket Club.