By Marlon Munroe
A spirited late order 47 from Treon Forde and a breezy 52 from West Indies middle order batman went in vain as Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) lost by a mere four runs to Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) in the first division Neal and Massy limited-overs competition yesterday at the GCC ground.
Forde came to the wicket with GCC struggling at 141-7 in the 31st over chasing 210 for victory and completely changed the complexion of the game with positive running that forced several misfields.
Himself and partner Chindanand Shivram, who made 15, took the score to 200 before Shivram was trapped lbw to off-spinner Ken Alphonso.
Needing 10 runs to win from the last over with pace bowler Victor Rodrigues (2-26) operating from the Regent Street end, GCC painstakingly eeked out six more runs to end on 206-9.
GCC started shakily losing their first two wickets Elon Fernandes and Waslim Haslim for one and six respectively with the total on seven.
But a well-crafted 90-run partnership by WI batsmen Sarwan and Leon Johnson (34) temporarily shifted the momentum GCC’s way.
The two displayed their class making the game look easy with good running between the wickets, well timed strokes and good communication. However, one moment of indiscretion by Johnson cost him his wicket as he held out to Elton Baker on the long-on boundary off Ranole Bourne.
Subsequently, Sarwan brought up his half century that included three boundaries but fell shortly after trapped lbw by Alphonso at 112-4 in the 25th over.
There were, however, pockets of resistance from the GCC batsmen but pressure in the field took its toll resulting in the senseless run out of Vishal Singh (13), Yannick Grimes (11) at gully, Dellon Fernandes (8), attempting a second run, and Jason Wade (0).
Rodrigues finished with two wickets for 26 runs; Alphonso 2-42 while Bourne and Garfield Newton had one wicket apiece.
Earlier, GNIC sent in after losing the toss, got a good start from openers Quincy Ovid-Richardson (21) and Elton Baker (20).
However the two were dismissed in quick succession at 52 and 66 with Ovid-Richardson caught at mid off by Raj Nannan off a slower delivery from Shivram and Baker bowled by Nannan.
Bourne (24) and David Dick (22) took the score to 103 before Dick was caught by Forde at first slip off the leg spin bowling of Sarwan who ended with figures of 3-37 from eight overs.
Solomon formed little partnerships along the way until the innings ended and he was left undefeated on 37 that included a six and a four as GNIC finished 209-9.
Johnson supported with 2-50 while Shivram, Forde and Nannan ended with one wicket each.
