By Delvon Mc Ewan
Kelvin Shewpersaud’s all-round performance inspired West Demerara to a seven wicket defeat of East Coast in the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Under-17 competition, yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club ground.
Shewpersaud (3-16) and 32 not out spearheaded West Demerara to their second comprehensive victory of the tournament after winning their first round encounter against East Bank by four wickets.
Shewpersaud combined with Looknauth Chinkoo (4-35) to dismiss East Coast for 124 in 40.3 overs. Only Ramnarine Chatura 24 from 38 deliveries, Shimchand Gamgaram 23 not out from 70 deliveries and Bhaskar Yadram 19 made notable contribution with the bat.
In reply, West Demerara, whose victory charge was interrupted by rain for approximately 20 minutes, reached their target in 29.1 overs. Shewpersaud and skipper Malcolm Hubbard (23 not out) shared in an unbroken fourth- wicket partnership of 51 runs to ensure their team’s victory. West Demerara’s opening pair of Mark Jeffers (16) and Ronaldo Renee (37) initially set the platform with a quick opening stand of 27 before Jeffers was removed. Travis Persaud (11) and Shewpersaud added another 27 runs to take their team closer to their target before Persaud was dismissed.
West Demerara eventually got to their target when Hubbard hit a six off East Coast captain Vishwanauth Ramlakhan’s first ball of his fourth over. Bowling for East Coast, Stephen Mangal, Kevinash Kumar and Rajpaul Gopaul took a wicket each.
At the Demerara Cricket Club ground, Georgetown 127 all out defeated East Bank 74 all out by 53 runs.
Samuel McKenzie and Sagar Hathiramani took five wicket hauls for their respective teams Georgetown and East Bank.
Sagar Hathiramani 5 wicket haul in vain as East Bank loses.
