A lethal display of seam bowling from Demerara Cricket Club’s (DCC) Dexter George stopped Police Sports Club in their tracks and led his side to a 46-run victory over the lawmen while Shafiek Ishmael’s half century ensured Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) a massive 148-run win over Diplomats last weekend in the Georgetown Cricket Association/New Building Society 40-over Second-Division tournament.
At Police Ground, Eve Leary, the lawmen were in pursuit of 214 for victory but fell for 168 in 38.5 overs as DCC were indebted to a consistent line from George who came from the pavilion end.
DCC had their first boost of confidence when 36-year-old former West Indies wicket-keeper, Derwin Christian made a return to the field and bowling off-spin, removed Kevin Christian for just 8.
National under -19 left-arm spinner, Daniel Mootoo, soon removed the dangerous Andrew Lyght Jr for a brisk 26, when he was caught at long on, taking on the breeze after cracking a six into the pavilion from the other end. Nevertheless, Police were back in the hunt as Kemol Savory, who earned a maiden call-up for the national side in the Regional Super50 tournament, along with Kevon Boodie, added 79 for the third wicket.
The pair looked settled and frustrated the bowlers as DCC looked to their spinners to get the job done. However, when that proved ineffective, the skipper, Ashmead Nedd, turned to George who made the breakthrough in his first over.
In the previous over, controversy erupted as the wicket-keeper and DCC unit appealed to the stand-in umpire for the dismissal of Savory who at the time was on 48. They claimed he walked on the stumps while batting. Savory only scored one more before being trapped leg before wicket to George.
George then clipped the bails of Boodie for 24 as only Kendall (12) and Stephon Harris (14) reached double figures. Nedd and Christian picked up two wickets each for 33 and 41 runs respectively.
Earlier, Raymon Perez stroked 42 but it was Nedd’s unbeaten 79 coming in at seven that catapulted DCC to 214-7 in their allotted overs. The captain hammered five sixes and six fours during his innings. Nedd shared in a 79-run partnership for the fifth with Christian (35). Harris took 3-36 while Kestor Harcourt, Eon Rodrigues and Pernell London took one wicket each.
Meanwhile, over the at the Queen’s College ground, the match was reduced to 32 overs per side with MYO posting 254-6 before bowling out Diplomats for 105 in 24.1 overs.
