By Delvon Mc Ewan
Demerara retained the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19 three-day title after the President’s X1 collapsed to an innings and 49 runs defeat on the third and final day at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground yesterday.
Demerara, who enter the final day needing eleven points to win the tournament, comfortably completed the task to conclude the tournament on 62 points and was crowned champions.
Beginning the final day on 152-7, the President’s XI was eventually bowled out for 215 with Damion Waldron contributing 38 runs in the lower order. Bowling for Demerara, Keon Morris and Sherfane Rutherford picked up three wickets each while Steven Sankar finished with two.
In their second turn at the crease after following on, the President’s XI was bowled out for a paltry 143 in 51.3 overs with Demerara’s Morris and Rutherford being destructive once more combining to take seven wickets to finish with figures of 4-32 and 3-46 respectively. Only Ronaldo Mohamed showed resistance with a fighting 37.
Demerara achieved victory when Daniel Lewis was the last man to be dismissed 19 minutes into the final hour of play.
Berbice finished with 49 points while Essequibo and the President’s X1 ended on 21 and 11 points respectively.
The focus is now on the one-day version of the tournament which bowls off tomorrow with Essequibo playing the President’s X1 at the Everest Cricket Club ground, while Demerara face Berbice at the Wales Community Centre ground.