The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) President’s XI yesterday wrapped up their campaign against Essequibo defeating them by an innings and 52-runs, while all-round performances from Berbice sealed a 10-wicket win over Demerara on the third day of the GCB Senior Inter-County second round four-day tournament played at the Bourda Cricket ground.
The President’s XI took care of business within roughly an hour, thanks to the efforts of left-arm fast bowler Andre Stoll who grabbed 4-34 in the first innings followed by 3-24 in the second, ending with figures of 7-58. Spinners Steven Sankar 2-19, Collis Butts 3-20 and Shaquille Williams 2-19, helped to shoot down a woeful Essequibo for 141 runs.
Rayan Fredricks (38) Kemo Paul (27) and Parmesh Parsotam (23) made positive starts but failed in their quest to save their team from bowing out in a hurry. On day one Essequibo were bowled out for 104 thanks to a barrage of fast bowling from Stoll and Seon Daniels (3-31) who ripped apart the top and middle order, with Paul (22) being the top scorer.
In reply President’s XI made 297 all-out compliments of half-centuries from Captain Vishal Singh (85), Ryan Ramdass (59), Jason Sinclair (60 not-out) and Williams (52), gaining a lead of 193 runs.
Essequibo in their second innings slipped to 126 for 6 after an aggressive start from opener Fredricks who struck six fours and a six in his top score. But Parsotam, Anthony Adams (18) and Paul failed to convert their starts. Upon resumption of the innings, the Essequibians who faced a deficit of 63-runs, were eventually skittled out in their chase. Keanu Harry (4) was bowled by Butts, while Ricardo Peters and Hemchand Persaud were mopped up by Sankar long before the stroke of lunch.
Over at the Enmore Community Centre ground, leg spinner Devendra Bishoo grabbed 4-24, ending with figures of 10-74, while all-rounder Royston Crandon grabbed 4-28 along with his day two top score of 95. Demerara resuming on 68 for 6 on the third day chasing a first innings deficit of 82 slumped to 96 all-out, with Paul Wintz unbeaten on 11 and a second innings lead of 14 runs.
Berbice completed a straightforward win inside 20 overs, as openers Sewnarine Chattergoon (11) and Kandasammy Surujnarine (1) made quick work of the required 15 runs to win in just 1.1 overs.
Brimming with confidence, President’s XI will now take their momentum into the third and final round of the tournament when they battle defending champions Demerara, while Berbice will seek to maintain their momentum against Essequibo.
