Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC), Everest Cricket Club (ECC) and Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) all recorded first round victories when action in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/Busta sponsored second division 20/20 competition got underway on Sunday.

At the DCC ground in Queenstown, GCC took care of the lesser known Ace Warriors by 71 runs in their encounter.

Thanks to the efforts of Romaine Grenville whose 59 included nine  boundaries and Gavin Singh who struck eight fours in  57 along with Paul Bevaugn who chipped in with an aggressive 23  with a six and a four, GCC were able to compile 183-7 from their 20 overs.

Ishaka Jackman grabbed 4-32 bowling for Ace Warriors, who needed to get 190 to win after receiving a six run penalty for slow over rate, but managed to reach 118 from 17.3 overs.

Skipper Afzal Gafoor led the way with 43 which included a six and four fours  but only Levar Douglas with 13 and his brother Orandel with 11 managed to get into double figures against the bowling of national under-19 player Jeetendra Sookdeo (2-8), Dellon Fernandes (2-30 ) and Singh 2-33.

DCC mauls GYO

At the DCC ground earlier, the home team got the better of Gandhi Youth Organization (GYO) by eight wickets after restricting their opponents to 91-9 from their 20 overs, to which they replied with 92-2 from 12 overs.

In GYO’s innings, Alex Ramalho led the batting with 30 which included five fours as former national under-15 off spinner Teralph Scipio grabbed 3-15 and national under-19 opener Trevon Griffith (2-7).

DCC in reply, were led by former national youth batsman and club president Alfred Mentore who scored 34 while Lawrence Smith (33) and Griffith (19) offered support.

Police arrested by GNIC

At Everest Cricket Club ground, Camp Road, Police were placed under close arrest by GNIC in their fixture.

Police were restricted to 113 when they batted while  an accomplished unbeaten 55 from Martin Rajmangal guided GNIC to a comfortable seven wicket victory.

Malteenoes defeated by Everest

Earlier at the Everest ground, Malteenoes Sports Club were restricted to 99-8 from their 20 overs in their match with the home team.

Left arm orthodox spinner Sohan Ragnandan picked up 2-12 and former national under-19 leg spinner Troy Gonsalves took 2-13.

Winston Semple and national under-15 wicketkeeper/batsman Safraz Esau scored 27 and 26 runs respectively.

In reply, Everest reached 100-3, thanks to Gonsalves who returned to score 42 , while  Surendra Heralall (20) and Dwayne Periera 19 not out, offered support.

The competition will continue this week-end with matches being played in the two zones.