Ronaldo Renee’s half century and a four wickey haul from Richie Looknauth guided West Demerara to victory by four wickets over East Bank in their first round of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Under-17 competition yesterday at the Wales Community Development Centre ground.
In a game reduced to 20 overs per side due to rain, Renee hit an entertaining 52(6×4,1×6) off 40 deliveries to help East Bank reach its target of 99 while off spinner Looknauth snared 4-14 from his four overs as East Bank reached 98-7 when their 20 overs were expired.
Renee and Mark Jeffers who shared in an opening stand of 40 got West Demerara off to a good start before Jeffers was dismissed by pacer Bhojnarine Singh for 10. Renee was then joined by Travis Persaud and the pair took the score to 80 before the partnership was broken when Persaud drove an Ershad Ali’s delivery into the hands of the cover fieldsman.
Renee brought up his half century with a single off Ali but succumbed two runs later off the same bowler. From a well set position of 80-2, West Demerara slipped to 86-6 as the East Bank’s spin pair of Ali and skipper Michael Sultan took four quick wickets between them, to put East Bank in a position to claim a come-from-behind victory. Of the four wickets to fall all the batsmen except Nicolie Reddy, who was undone by a big spinning leg break delivery from Ali, played reckless shots.
West Demerara eventually got home with Looknauth Chunkoo and Kelvin Shewpersaud unbeaten on nine and four runs respectively. Ershad Ali finished with figures of 4-11 from his four overs for East Bank.
Earlier, after being sent into bat, East Bank’s total was inspired by Mark Ramsammy (21), Stephon December (15) and Sagar Hathiramani (10). Looknauth’s bowling effort for West Demerara side was supported by Ewart Samuels, Looknauth Chunkoo and Travis Persaud who took a wicket each.
At the Enmore Community Development Centre ground, Georgetown defeated East Coast by eight wickets in another rain-affected game. East Coast who were asked to bat, scored 76 all out in 26.2 of their 30 overs, with Bhaskar Yadram (33) the only batsman to past 10. Bowling for Georgetown, Ronaldo Mohamed and Sherfane Rutherford took three wickets each.
Georgetown replied with 78-2 in 13.3 overs, with Rutherford remaining unbeaten on 47.
The competition continues on Saturday as East Bank clash with Georgetown at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, while East Coast will go up against West Demerara at the Everest Cricket Club ground.
