GDF topples Malteenoes in two-day contest

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) secured an outright victory over Malteenoes, while the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) drew with the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC), in the latest round of the Carib Beer/Friends of Cricket/Heroes Cup, two-day first division competition, which was played over the weekend.

At Camp Ayanganna Ground, the GDF defeated Malteenoes by 105 runs. Winning the toss and batting first on Saturday, the army side was bundled out for 137 in 43.2 overs. Dennis Legay 42 (3×4, 3×6) and Paul Castello 34 (3×4) were the principal scorers.

Winston Forrester

Bowling for Malteenoes, off-spinners Orin Forde (Malteenoes captain) and Terrence Poole claimed 5/25 and 3/14 respectively.

The GDF bowlers brought their team back into the game, as they routed Malteenoes for 92 in 32 overs. Shaquille Williams 34 (4×4, 1×6) was the only batsman to put up resistance as GDF new-ball pair of Trevon Garraway and Jeremiah Harris 3/35 and 2/13 ran through the top-order. Rodrick Lovell with figures of 3/33 was also amongst the wickets.

Batting a second time with a first innings lead of 35, GDF reached 192 all out with Harris, Castello and Randy Lindore being the main contributors scoring 43, 23 and 23 respectively.

Needing 228 to win, Malteenoes were never in the hunt as they folded for 122. West Indies Under-19 batsman Kwame Crosse 47 (5×4, 1×6) and Williams, 27, were the only batsmen to put up resistance, with their teammates being spun out by left-arm spinner Denis Legay who claimed 5/28.

In the other game played at Bourda Oval, GCC and GNIC played out to a draw.

Orin Forde

The GNIC side which had 54-year-old West Indies selector Clyde Butts in its ranks, won the toss and gave the home side the option of taking first strike on a flat Bourda wicket.

GCC then proceeded to amass 166 all out in 69 overs with opener Winston Forrester, Gavin Singh and Robin Bacchus being the main scorers with 59, 41 not out and 32. Orlando Fraser had the best bowling figures for GNIC with 3-12.

In pursuit, GNIC surrendered the first innings advantage as they were restricted to 136, thanks to Forrester, the MVP in the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers International School Cricket competition in Barbados 2010, who claimed 6/16 from 12.1 overs of off-spin bowling.

Jeetendra Sookdeo

In their second innings the Vishaul Singh-led GCC side posted 203 all out which was built on the back of an innings of 96 (7×4) from Jeetendra Sookdeo. Renole Bourne and Clyde Butts had the best bowling figures in GNIC’s second innings with 3/32 and 2/45 each.

When stumps were called at 5:30, GNIC had reached 71/4. Elton Baker top scored with 27 and Devon Lord took 2 for 13.

Denis Legay

Action in the first division competition continues next weekend weather permitting.