Berbice on Saturday defeated Essequibo by an innings and two runs in their final round match of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19 Inter-County tournament at the Everest Cricket Club ground, Thomas Lands.
They were led by a century from Balchand Baldeo whose innings of 177 not out guided them to 339 all out in their first innings in reply to Essequibo’s first innings score of 122. Resuming on an unbeaten 64 from the previous day Basdeo batted through Berbice’s innings to remain unbeaten on 177.
David Latchaya then ensured that Berbice did not have to bat a second time by picking up four wickets to help bowl out Essequibo for 215.
Earlier, Basdeo and his overnight partner Hakeem Hinds who was unbeaten on 12 added another 79 runs partnership before Hinds was run out for 41. However Basdeo continued to bat positively adding valuable partnership with the remaining batsman to give Berbice a large first innings lead of 217.
Bowling for Essequibo Akil Wallace was the chief wicket taker as he finished with figures of 4-101.
In their second turn at the crease Essequibo was off to a good start with a first wicket partnership of 52 between Ricardo Peters and Avinash Persaud who each scored 24.
However, after that partnership was broken Essequibo continued to lose wickets constantly as only Kemo Paul (76) and Travis Drakes (35) put up resistance in the lower order.
Latchaya, who claimed four wickets was supported by his skipper Sharaz Ramcharran who took two wickets.
