Essequibo edged opponents Berbice by a three point margin in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-17 tournament yesterday after their match was abandoned due to a swamped out Everest Sports Club ground.
As a result of the rain, most of the Everest ground was under water leaving the umpires with no option but to call of the match. Ground staff tried relentlessly in a bid to save the match by tending to the outfield but the majority of the water lodged at different parts of the ground made it impossible to start play.
Umpires also declared that they did not want to risk the safety of the players by having them compete on an unfit playing surface.
In Saturday’s encounter, Berbice defeated Essequibo by 54 runs.
Sent in to bat first Berbice were skittled out for 136 in 31.2 overs after a reduction of overs from the allotted 50 to 39 due to rain.
Opener Shimron Hetemyer stroked a composed 60 which included three fours and two sixes while Brandon Persaud’s knock of 29 which yielded four boundaries provided much needed support.
Bowling for Essequibo, skipper Kemo Paul grabbed 4 for 22 off six overs, while spinner Akenie Adams captured 2 for 21 and Keano Harry 3 for 37.
In reply Essequibo were routed for 83 in 19.2 overs thanks in part to left arm spinner Parmanand Ramdhan who snared 5 for 5 from three overs. Teammates Brandon Persaud’s 2 for 8 and one wicket apiece from Balchand Baldeo and Daniel Lewis put the final nail in the coffin for the opposition.
Earlier, Parmesh Parasotam who bowled well, proved to be good with the bat as well top scoring with 40.
Due to the point’s rule where fast bowlers receive 0.5 points for each wicket taken in the competition, Essequibo’s fast men picked up five wickets in the tournament, including Paul’s four wickets against Berbice.
Essequibo ended with a total of 8.5 points while Berbice finished on 5.5 and Demerara 2.5
Skipper of the winning team Paul was named player of the tournament.
