Bishun, Barnwell spur DCC to championship

DCC after winning the final. (Royston Alkins Photo) 
DCC after winning the final. (Royston Alkins Photo) 

An excellent bowling performance from Totaram Bishun, backed up by a fine century from skipper Christopher Barnwell, propelled Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) to championship honours over the Police Sports Club (PSC) yesterday.

Playing in the final of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA), GISE, Star Party Rental and Trophy Stall first division two-day tournament at PSC, DCC won the match by an innings and 66 runs on the final day to lift the title. 

 As the final day script went, DCC resuming the day on 240 for 3, reached 327 for seven at lunch, a lead of 157 runs.  

 Skipper, Christopher Barnwell, resuming the day on 64, recorded his century, a milestone he brought up by lifting off-spinner Kelvin Leitch back over his head for a maximum. 

 It was a century to savour, his first against PSC, which included eight fours, and three maximums before he fell LBW to Leitch.

 Joshua Persaud (29), who added 13 runs to his overnight score, fell LBW to seamer Raun Johnson while leg-spinner Vishaul Jaigobin accounted for Steven Sankar (3) and Ashmead Nedd. 

 On the resumption of play, DCC extended their lead to 181 after they were dismissed for 351 with Jaigobin claiming 4-50 to wrap up the innings. He got support from Johnson (2-85) and off-spinner Jason Heyliger (2-87). 

 Police in their second innings, capitulated for 115 with left arm spinner Ashmead Nedd snaring 4-23 while Bishun backed up his first innings six-wicket haul with 3-5 to end the match with figures of 9-70 in a man-of- the-match performance which guided his side to a crushing innings win. 

 Players receiving individual awards at the conclusion of the tournament were Kevin Ross who walked away with the best bowling figures of the tournament (8-14) while Joshua Persaud’s unbeaten 150 against PSC was the tournament’s highest individual score. 

 Left-arm spinner Treon France who is one of the emerging players, collected 20 wickets, the most in the tournament while his Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) teammate, Christopher Deonarine recorded the most runs, 362 runs at a staggering average of 120.7. 

 The Zone A MVP went to Barnwell who scored 202 runs to go along with three wickets while France was adjudged the MVP out of zone B for his exploits with the ball (20 wickets). He also scored 44 runs.