Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) secured a convincing seven-wicket victory over their Everest Cricket Club counterparts in the opening match of the Queensway-sponsored 2011 Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Open 50 overs Knockout Cricket Competition yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club, Camp Road.
The visiting GCC side led by national middle-order batsman Leon Johnson won the toss and elected to field first, on a sun-drenched placid looking Everest pitch.
His new-ball pair of Demerara Under-19 pacer Kevin Ogle and Joshua Wade broke the back of the home side innings reducing them to 36 for six at one stage.
Some valiant late order batting mainly during a 63-run seventh wicket partnership between Mohamed Ramden 40 (72 balls 5×4) and Surujpaul Deonarine 32 (80 balls) and later on 21 not out from wicket-keeper Joseph Perry revived the struggling total briefly.
But it was not enough as they were eventually bowled out for a below-par total of 137 in 42.3 overs.
Ogle and Wade were the pick of the bowlers for GCC with 3-30 and 3-20 respectively; they were supported by Demerara Under-19 left-arm spinner Raj Nanan who took 2-20.
GCC paced their chase competently as they reached their target of 138 for the loss of three wickets, with 12 overs to spare. This effort was built on the back of an unbeaten 64-run 4th wicket partnership between Assad Fudadin 54 not out, coming off a man-of-the-match performance in the Jamzone Masters Cup Final over the weekend and Jeetendra Sookdeo 21 not out.
Azad Nohammed with 2-30 had the best figures for the defeated home side.
Meanwhile, the first round matches in the competition continue tomorrow with Vikings facing Police at Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, Third Class taking on Malteenoes at DCC and University of Guyana battling Transport Sports Club at UG.
