By Delvon Mc Ewan
Sunil Singh and Kemol Savoury scored half centuries to guide Georgetown to victory over East Bank in its opening match of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB)/ Diamond Fire and General Insurance under-19 Competition on Tuesday at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) Ground.
Georgetown, who won the toss and elected to take first strike scored 267-8 in 50 overs, with both Singh and Savoury making 50.
Singh and Tevin Imlach (20) gave Georgetown a solid start of 78 runs in 12.4 overs, before Imlach was bowled by Irshad Alli. Singh continued to bat freely and reached his half century with a single behind point. He also struck five boundaries. However, he was removed immediately after, cutting at a wide delivery which was taken by the wicket keeper to be the third wicket to fall for Georgetown. Savoury came to the crease at Singh’s demise
and provided the balance in the middle order. He struck two boundaries and two maximums in his innings and was extremely severe on leg spinner Alli taking 17 off his fourth over.
Steven Sankar 21 (2×6) and Tariq Dhamanlall who was unbeaten at the end on 26, provided the flair in the finishing overs of Georgetown innings by hitting three boundaries and two maximums between them to increase the scoring rate.
Georgetown was also afforded 51 extras due to wayward bowling by the East Bank bowlers as only leg spinner Ricky Debydial troubled the batsmen. He ended with figures of 2-18.
In reply, East Bank fell short of their target by 62 runs as they were restricted to 205-8 in their quota of 50 overs.
Opening batsman Deonarine Seogobin top scored with a run-a-ball 46 which included six boundaries while Stephon Brown (41) and Daniel Barker who was unbeaten at the end with 33 provided support.
For Georgetown fast bowlers Yekini Favourite and Carlton Jacques along with medium pacer Michael Shalim all took two wickets each.
In the other game which was played at Georgetown Cricket Club ground, East Coast defeated West Demerara by six wickets.
East Coast reached 226-4 in 48 overs replying to West Demerara 225-8 in 50 overs. Man of the match Rudolph Singh top scored for East Coast with 97 receiving support from Ramnarine Chatura who scored an even half century.
Earlier West Demerara won the toss and elected to bat scoring 225-8 in their 50 overs with Ronaldo Renee and Malcolm Hobbard being the principal scorers with 76 and 43 runs respectively. Left arm orthodox bowler Irfaan Ali and Brian Sattaur led the East Coast bowling with 2-27 and 2-30 respectively.
Before the game started, Diamond Fire and General Insurance Inc. Accountant, Rabindra Budhai, told the players that they have been supporting youth cricket in Berbice and other parts of
the county over the years, and they are happy to join the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) this year.
Budhai urged the players to give their best and be competitive, and respect the game and each other. He added that himself and other Diamond Fire and General Insurance Inc. personnel will be following the competition keenly and charged the players to make their teams and Diamond Fire and General Insurance Inc. proud.
Vice-President of the DCB, Anand Sanasie thanked Diamond Fire and General Insurance Inc. for their sponsorship and their interest in the development of youth cricket. He assured them that they will get value for their investment.
The competition continues today with two matches, at Enmore Community Development Ground East Coast take on East Bank while at Wales Community Development Ground West Demerara will host Georgetown.
