By Calvin Roberts
Former national under-19 captain Andre Percival’s four wickets and Renwick Batson’s 37 helped Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC) ease past Trinidad and Tobago’s Papamen’s Kitchen Comets by eight wickets when the two teams met at the Area ‘H’ ground, Rose Hall yesterday in a 40-overs-a-side encounter.
Opting to take first strike on a pitch with uneven bounce, Comets were bowled out for 98 from 36 overs
with Marcus Watkins being unbeaten on 24 (1×4) whilst David Livingston with 23 and Guyana/ Stanford Twenty20 player Chris Barnwell made 18 as Percival grabbed 4-13 from eight overs.
In reply, RHTYSC reached 99-2 with Batson leading the way with 37 retired whilst Maxie de Jonge supported with 23.
Comets’ openers Barnwell and Amzad Mohammed started cautiously against the pace/spin attack of Batson and Troy Matheison with the latter having Mohammed caught by Ravi Narine at first slip for three before Barnwell and Livingston added 40 runs for the second wicket.
But, with the departure of Livingston, who had struck Narine for two sixes over midwicket and long off respectively, the Comets batting fell away until Watkins held the lower order together with his unbeaten 24 that was decorated with one four.
Lloydel Lewis (2-15) and Mahadeo (2-6), lent support to Percival.
RHTYSC saw their run chase off to a canter with Batson and De Jonge posting 65 runs for the first wicket with some audacious shots.
Batson retired his innings when on 37 with his team on 85-1 to allow national under-15 batsman Dominic Ricky a chance to showcase his talent and he did not disappoint.
Although Mahadeo was dismissed off the bowling of Livingston, the writing was on the wall and Jason Sinclair ensured that it was clearly written by hitting Livingston all along the ground for four to seal the win for RHTYSC.
Comets will now take on their host Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) in a triangular Twenty20 game at the Banks DIH Thirst Park ground this evening.
Expected to turn out for DCC are Barnwell, Demerara Inter County Under-19 captain Denver Greaves, Guyana /TCL Under-19 opener Trevon Griffith and his team mate Royston Alkins, Jamal Hinckson, Dennis Squires, Teralph Scipio and former national all rounder Keith Semple.
There will be a small admission fee of $200 to enter the ground.
