Exciting round of cricket anticipated this week-end

Another exciting round of matches is anticipated this weekend as teams continue to vie for spots in the semi-finals of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) first and second division competitions.

The Carib Beer Friends of Cricket first division  competition and the Noble House Seafoods, second division competition commenced last year but have been stalled due to the inclement weather.

Some clubs might be missing their star players who are on duty with the national senior side in the West Indies Cricket Board four day tournament currently in progress but the remaining crème-de-la-crème players of teams in the city are expected to be in action at several venues.

In the scheduled first division matches, Police face off with the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) at Bourda; Gandhi Youth Organization (GYO) will battle Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) at Queenstown and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will host the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC).

In the Noble House Seafoods sponsored second division competition Muslim Youth Organization (MYO) will oppose the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) at the MYO ground; Transport Sports Club will face Vikings Cricket team at the GYO ground and Ace Warriors will play Police Sports Club at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). City side Malteenoes returns to action against the developing University of Guyana side, which is currently preparing for the annual inter-collegiate tournament to be held in Barbados from May 20-26.

Meanwhile in last week-end’s matches, GNIC defeated Third Class by 255 runs. Batting first GNIC compiled 241 with Collis Butts top scoring with 65. Elton Baker supported with 40 while Rawle Merrel made 35.

Third Class in their first innings made 136 with Baker capturing 3-24.

Batting a second time, GNIC declared on 242-8 with Baker completing a century (104).

Joshua Vantull supported with 32.

Third Class in their second knock were routed for 92 with Baker grabbing 5-13 from 8.5 overs and Merrel grabbing 3-12 from six overs.

The match between GYO and GDF ended in a disappointing draw for GDF as GYO closed on 66-5 chasing 150 for victory.

Scores: GDF: 237-9 dec. (Anand Goolsarran 3-55, Pravindralall Persaud 3-20 and 108 (Garfield DeRoach 3-25; GYO: 195 (Deryk Koulen 68, Tristan Liverpool 31), and 66-5.

At Queenstown, GCC completed a close victory over Everest by three runs.

Batting first GCC scored 166 as Javed Rasheed picked up 7 for 52 from 16 overs of left arm orthodox spin.

Everest, in reply, scored 177 with Sherfayne Rutherford scoring the other century in this round of competition (104).

The next highest score was 27 by Riyyad Sattaur.

In reply, GCC were bowled out for 78 with Rasheed claiming 7-45 from 10 overs.

Chasing a paltry 68 for victory Everest were bowled out for 65. (Neil Barry)