GCC defeats Transport in rain hit contest

Akeem Azeez (5-21) and Charwayne McPherson (50) were the top performers for Transport Sports Club
Akeem Azeez (5-21) and Charwayne McPherson (50) were the top performers for Transport Sports Club

A half-century from Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed and a four wicket haul by Deonarine Seegobin ensured Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) defeat Transport Sports Club by 31 runs in Sunday’s rain-hit contest of the Georgetown Cricket Association’s New Building Society second -division 40-overs tournament.

Transport won the toss and sent GCC in to take first strike and they posted 200 all out in 38.2 overs.

Transport, set a revised target of 169 to win in 32 overs ended on 138-9. They were 49-3 when rain interrupted the chase.

Deonarine Seegobin (4-4) and Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed (54) ensured GCC defeated Transport Sports Club

Former West Indies youth player, Ali-Mohammed was dropped on 39 at deep square leg.

He went on to make the top score of 54, clobbering five sixes, three of which came in Shaun Massiah’s first over. He was, however, caught at deep mid-wicket by Quacy McPherson who leapt into the air and stuck his right hand up, landing inches from the boundary ropes to end a special innings by the 20-year-old.

Earlier, Winston Forrester marked his return to the local scene with a determined knock worth 40 runs, with four boundaries. Forrester shared in a 59-run opening stand with Martin Pestano Belle (23) who looked elegant in striking three boundaries.

Despite gifting GCC 23 extras, off spinner, Akeem Azeez halted the host’s assault striking twice in his second over. He eventually finished with 5-21 from his eight overs. He was supported by Charwayne McPherson (2-29) while Massiah was busy in the field, taking five catches and inflicting the run out of Raj Nanan.

In the chase, Nanan, a former national youth left arm orthodox spinner, removed Adrian Hinds while Ali-Mohammed took two wickets in including that of Sunil Singh who was very aggressive, striking five boundaries in his 20-ball 23 before the rains came.  When the skies cleared, McPherson took it to the GCC bowling attack, hitting two sixes and one four along with sharp singles and doubles to reach his half century. He shared in a 58-run partnership with Azeez (17) but Seegobin struck three times in his first over to remove both batsmen, eventually finishing with 4-4 from his two overs.

Also, Police earned themselves a walkover from Sophia who failed to produce a team in the stipulated time for their contest scheduled for Police Ground.