The Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) lifted the Haier Cup 40-over second division title yesterday after they defeated the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) by 66 runs at the DCC ground.
After DCC won the toss and sent in GNIC to bat they were powered to 289-7 in 40 overs after a top score of 77 from Man-of-the-Match David Dick. The other aggressive contributions from undefeated batsman Dexter Solomon (37), Ranole Bourne (31), Elton Baker (30), Quincy Ovid-Richardson (28) and Marvin Munroe (28) also aided in putting the game out of reach for the Queenstown-based club and put them under psychological pressure to reach their target of 290.
DCC did not cower in their reply but they lost wickets at crucial periods of their run chase. Cohen Ismond, who made an admirable 65, and Jahron Byron (36) gave the GNIC team a scare as they started to look ominous in the compilation of a 68-run third wicket partnership.
When that partnership was broken by Premchand Sookdeo, who had Ismond caught at long off after playing a tired shot, it was just a matter of time before their innings folded at 223 from 35.2 overs. There were brief cameos and small pockets of resistance by Dennis Squires (21) and Denver Greaves (19) but none was sustained.
GNIC’s captain Orlando Fraser led from the front by bagging 3-39 (8) while Jermaine Grovesnor and Sookdeo picked up two wickets apiece from their four overs. When GNIC batted Ismond was the pick of the bowlers, albeit expensive, with two wickets for 48 runs from fours overs.
When he opened the batting he seemed intent on making up for his expensive bowling and the GNIC bowlers paid for some poor bowling in the initial stages despite taking an early wicket. With each of eight boundaries hit, he grew in confidence: his first six was played over wide long on while he was on bended knees.
It was also the shot that brought up his half century and also the shot that brought his dismissal. Byron created the shots that brought the sharp singles in the field and Ismond responded. But with the dismissal of the opening batsman Byron followed shortly after.
Greaves entered the crease and hit two straight sixes in partnership with Squires but he did not last long. Squires tried to shift the balance of the game but he too lost his wicket as he tried to step on the gas; his innings ended after 17 deliveries, three of which were boundaries when the score was 173-7.
Lyndon Lyght (5) lost his wicket when the score was 187 and then Kevin George (11), his when the score was 192. A 31-run 10-wicket partnership developed between Edward Burnette (19) and Leroy Primo (15 not out) but it was too late and the asking rate when they joined forces was 13.5 runs per over.
In attempting to step up the run rate Burnette was run out attempting a second.
When GNIC batted the start was good and Dick guided every step of the way. In the final overs national under-19 wicketkeeper Solomon hit two fours but it was his six hitting that that took his team to a total that would prove out of reach for DCC.
At the presentation CEO of Valu Maxx, a subsidiary of Queensway, Mohamed Qualander said that he was pleased with the competition and it will be sponsored again next year. He noted that it was a privilege to give back to the society in which the company operates and to add value to the players’ contributions.
The winning team was presented with a trophy and a cheque. The MVP of the tournament was Transport Sports Club’s Shafeek Ishmael, who was also the player of round six, and he received a 29” Haier television set and other Haier appliances.
Other players to receive prizes were Colin Mc Pherson, Shawn Massiah, Alvin Costello, Jermaine Horation, Elton Baker, Dennis Mangal and Jamal Hinckson.
