GT&T Berbice lead after outright win over Essequibo

Defending champions GT&T Berbice trounced rivals Essequibo by 180 runs while Demerara gained first innings points against the President’s XI in their drawn encounter of the first round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Limacol Cup Inter-County U15 tournament yesterday.  ‘

Playing at the Enmore Community Development Centre Ground champs GT&T Berbice made quick work of Essequibo.
Berbice, with a lead of 25, declared their second innings on 172/4 from 49 overs leaving Essequibo 198 to win off 51 overs.
Opener Adrian Suloway (59), Matthew Hardial (36) and Joshua Harrichand (31) not out, were the top scorers while Christopher Latchman grabbed 3 for 57.

Man-of-the-Match Bhaskar Yadram receiving his trophy from GCB vice-president, Alfred Mentore.
Man-of-the-Match Bhaskar Yadram receiving his trophy from GCB vice-president, Alfred Mentore.

Sylus Tyndall then wrecked the Essequibo batting line picking up five wickets for just four runs. Left arm spinner Joel Seetaram supported well with three wickets.

Essequibo only managed to scrape 17 runs in 13.3 overs. Eight of their batsmen failed to score and Joshua Jones was the highest scorer with nine runs.

Over at the Everest Sports Club Ground, Demerara resuming on 43/1 and leading by 181 runs eventually declared on 123 for 4 leaving the President’s XI a mammoth 262 for a win.

In form Bhaskar Yadram who was stranded on 99 in the first innings registered his second half century of the match. Yadram converted his overnight score of 28 to a classy 53 which included 10 boundaries. Ricardo Mohamed (21) was also among the runs again for Demerara while

Andrew Clifford grabbed 3 for 21 off nine overs.
Chasing 262, the President’s XI reached 141 for 9 in 89 overs. Rishi Looknauth top scored with 34 while Clifford made 28 and Vickram Talmakund 21.

Keshram Shewpersaud picked up 3 for 19 while Yadram and Ashmead Nedd picked up two wickets each.
At the end of the game Demerara skipper Yadram was named Man-of-the Match for his unbeaten first innings score of 99 and his second innings score 53.

Round two of the competition takes place tomorrow and Thursday when Essequibo squares off against Demerara at Wales while the President’s XI will take on Berbice at Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground.