Bel Air Rubis defeat Eco Champs by 56 runs

Andrew Samaroo and Daveanand Khemraj were impressive with both bat and ball.
Andrew Samaroo and Daveanand Khemraj were impressive with both bat and ball.

A timely all-round effort from Daveanand Khemraj powered Bel Air Rubis to a 56-run win over Georgetown Eco Champs on Sunday at the Ogle Community Centre Ground in the latest match of the Georgetown Cricket Association/ Friends of Cricket Under 17, 100 overs tournament.

Bel Air Rubis won the toss and decided to bat first posting 214-9 from their 55 overs then  returned with the ball to stifle Eco Champs to 158 in 38 overs.

Daniel Roberts struck early in the piece, removing Mark Sukhai who failed to score but the second wicket partnership of 56 between Omari Lallbachan and Andrew Samaroo revived the innings and laid the platform for a late flurry.

Lallbachan soaked up 69 balls, hitting three fours for his contribution of 20 while Samaroo’s 25 took 61 balls. Both batsmen were removed by Keon Wright.

Khemraj lost Rudranauth Kissoon early but Ravindra Samaroo stayed with him and they added 66 runs for the fifth wicket and carry the total to 147-5 when Khemraj was given leg before wicket to Mohammed Jameer. Khemraj scored 54 from 70 balls, hitting six fours and a lone six along the way.

Ravindra Samaroo kept the scoreboard ticking but was also trapped leg before wicket for 43.

Wright was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-24 while Roberts took 2-20.

In the chase, Eco Champs mirrored the start of Bel Air Rubis when Nicholas Rajpat and Akash Tiwari fell cheaply.

However, a third-wicket partnership between Mitra Dhanraj and Dwain Dick worth 59, brought life back into the match.

Dick continued in his customary aggressive nature, smashing three sixes in his 24-ball 30 while Dhanraj carved five fours on his way to a top score of 34 before the two batsmen departed with the score on 93.

A late burst from Jameer worth 25 was not enough to upset Bel Air Rubis.

Andrew Samaroo, Kissoon and Khemraj picked up two wickets each.