Host Essequibo was staring down the barrel of defeat at the end of the second day of their second round match in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/GTM-sponsored Under-19 inter-county cricket match against defending champions Berbice at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground yesterday.

Berbice began the second day on 72-6 in reply to Essequibo’s first innings score of 161 and thanks to a resilient Sahadeo Somai (94) and national Under-19 all rounder Seon Hetmyer (49), scored 235 for a first innings lead of 74, ensuring that the bowling of national Under-19 all rounder Jonathan Foo, who grabbed 9-53 in Essequibo’s first innings, did not go in vain.

Somai struck five fours during his sojourn at the wicket which ensured Berbice achieve their first innings points as he added 64 runs for the seventh wicket with Hetmyer.

Rovi Harris (4-53), Rensford Beaton (2-32) and Grayson Paul (2-34) were the wicket takers for Essequibo who being faced with a first innings deficit of 74, was shakily placed on 107-5 at the end of the day’s play.

Skipper and national Under-19 middle order batsman Royston Alkins was doing all within his power to keep his team in the game, compiling a stubborn and unbeaten 41 at the close, decorated with two sixes and the same amount of fours.

Openers Herrell Greene and Ravindra Parsram contributed 21 and 19 respectively, but unfortunately for Essequibo who took first innings points against Demerara in their first round encounter, they are both back in the pavilion.

Trinson Carmichael has so far taken 2-26 for the defending champions who will be looking to mop up the lower order as early as possible on the final day today and ensure their county scores a comprehensive win.