A maiden century from Devon Allen saw Transport Sports Club defeating GYCEA/ Better Hope by 35 runs in the final preliminary match to book their spot in the semifinal of the Georgetown Cricket Association/ AYCPL Under-19 tournament at the Muslim Youth Organisation ground yesterday.
Transport won the toss and elected to bat first and posted 259 in 46.2 overs. They then restricted Better Hope to 224 in 42.3 overs.
Transport’s batting centered around the 18-year-old right handed batsman who stroked 113 consisting of 10 fours and eight sixes down the ground as the opposition was made to punish for dropping him four times.
He was eventually caught by Vickash Seeram at backward point off of left-arm orthodox, Peter Jadunauth.
Allen, who had previously scored two half centuries in the tournament, was supported by National Under-15 all-rounder, Alvin Mohabir with 26, laced with four boundaries along with Adrian Hinds and Jamal Michael who made 18 runs each. Extras contributed 37 runs.
Off-spinner, Mahendra Singh was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3-23 from his 20 deliveries while Jadunauth, Deoram Narine and Brandon Jordan chipped in with two wickets each.
In reply, Mohabir returned to stun Better Hope, taking 3-21 with his off-spin as well as Hinds and Akeem Clarke with two wickets each.
Mahendra Singh showed his class with a brilliant 66, his second half century of the tournament. He struck eight boundaries before his stumps were shattered by Hinds.
Singh shared in a 97-run opening stand with Chandra Mohan (26) and found support from Christopher Balgobin (26), who along with Niranjan Ori were dismissed off of successive deliveries from Clarke.
Narine returned with the bat to hammer three sixes and three boundaries in a spirited 33 while Steven Ramnarine tried with a brisk 27 but wickets fell too consistently as Transport stamped their dominance over the inexperienced side.
Transport will now face Demerara Cricket Club in the semifinal today at the DCC ground in Queenstown from 09.00hrs.
