Travis Blyden struck an accomplished 101 for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) against Gandhi Youth Organization at the Camp Ayanganna ground when the Hadi’s World Incorporated/City Mall first division two-day competition resumed on Saturday.
At the end of the first day’s play GDF held the upper hand against GYO after posting 351/7 declared. GYO ended the day on 29/1 in reply.
Opening the batting after GYO inserted GDF, Blyden lost his opening partner Isaiah Brijaddar for one before himself and Marcus Watkins settled down for an 81-run, second wicket partnership. Watkins hit seven fours in 44 before he was dismissed by Kamesh Yadram in the 22nd over with GDF 95/2.
GDF lost Francis Mendonca for just six before Terry Fraser (17) added 50 with Blyden for the fourth wicket. Fraser struck a single boundary before he was dismissed by Richard Hoyte with the score 161/4 in 38 overs.
Randy Lindore consolidated with the resolute Blyden until the latter brought up his century with a six over the midwicket fence. He hit a total of 11 fours and one six in his knock which ended when he was given out lbw to off spinner Hoyte. Blyden put on 44 with Lindore and was dismissed in the 47th over with the score 205/5. Lindore followed shortly afterwards run out for 28 with four fours.
Paul Castello and fast bowler Trevon Garraway then put on a rapid 100-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Castello was the aggressor scoring 66 before he was run out with the score on 313/7. Castello struck eight fours in his second successive half century in two-day cricket after scoring one last weekend against the same opposition in the Noble House Seafoods second division competition.
Garraway started his innings slowly, but gradually lifted the tempo before he brought up his own half century and the GDF 350 with a four followed by a six, both straight down the ground to prompt the GDF declaration. He finished with an unbeaten 55, which included six fours and two sixes and lifted GDF to 351/7 in 73.4 overs. Jeremiah Harris helped added 41 for the eight wicket with Garraway of which his contribution was 18.
Hoyte picked up 2 for 81 for G.Y.O.
The GYO openers began solidly before Loakesh Reid was needlessly run out for seven as GYO closed on 29/1 from 11 overs, trailing GDF by 322 runs with nine wickets in hand heading into yesterday’s second and final day’s play.
