Berbice under-17 batsmen Brian Dukhna and Brandon Persaud struck half centuries and propelled Lower Corentyne straight into the finals of the 2013 Republic Bank Under-17 Inter-zone Cricket Competition in Berbice.
The match played at the Cumberland Ground in East Canje and which started late due to rain, had to be reduced from 60 to 53 overs.
Lower Corentyne won the toss and chose to bat first. At 48 for 4, Brandon Persaud and Navendra Permaul put on a valuable 38 for the fifth wicket. Permaul fell for 16 and Persaud for 52 in quick succession, as Lower Corentyne was left once again reeling at 88 for 6.
However, Daniel Samaroo joined Dukhna and the two of them halted the slide and featured in an unbroken stand of 80 for the 7th wicket to see Lower Corentyne ending their first innings on 168 for 6 off their allotted 53 overs. Dukhna ended on 53 not-out and Samaroo 29 not- out. Medium pacer Imran Imtiaz took 2 for 19.
In their chase, West Berbice quickly slid to 32 for 3, despite gritty knocks from Randy Wade (18) and Adrian Singh (9). Berbice Under-17 all-rounder Grisean Grant and Kris Ramnarine gave them some hope but after putting on 27 for the 4th wicket, Grant fell for 23 and Ramnarine 10.
After slipping to 63 for 5, a position from which they never recovered, off-spinner Daniel Lewis and left arm spinner Dukhna ripped through the lower order to see the opposition losing their last five wickets for just 9 runs. They eventually succumbed for 72 all-out.
Lewis ended with figures of 3 for 13, Dukhna 3 for 18 and medium pacer Permaul 2 for 18.
In the time available before the close of play, Lower Corentyne reached 37 without loss in their 2nd innings.
