By Delvon Mc Ewan
The Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) yesterday won the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/ New Building Society second division 40 overs to complete a three-peat at the third edition of the tournament. At the Malteenoes Sports Club ground, GCC defeated Transport Sports Club (TSC) by 159 runs to register a comprehensive victory.
The victors were spearheaded by Martin Pestano-Belle (64) and Elon Fernandes (72) half centuries while Devon Lord, Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed and Deonaries Seegobin who collected three wickets each, restricted TSC to a low total.
Opting to take first strike GCC made 267-6 in 40 overs while TSC responded with 108 all out in 30.2 overs. GCC started well as Gavin Singh (34) and Pestano-Belle shared an opening stand of 93, before the former was bowled by Clyde Hoyte. Fernandes joined Pestano-Belle after Singh’s removal and they took the score to 164, with a 71 run second wicket partnership. After Pestano-Belle’s dismissal, GCC lost another quick wicket, as the TSC bowlers tried to tighten the grip.
However, several dropped catches throughout GCC’s innings contributed to their demise. Even their top scorer was given a life before coming off the mark by Hoyte, as spinners Batson and Kevin Ross laboured in vain. Ali-Mohamed 18, Lord 18 not out and Joshua Wade 12, scored quickly at the backend of GCC’s innings to set a competitive total. Batson bagged 3-43 for TSC while Ross chipped in with 2-43.
TSC’s response was off to a poor start after they lost their first three wickets with just 21 runs on the scorecard. They never managed to recover from that position eventually surrendering their innings just over a 100 runs. Devaughn Nandan (19), Shawn Massiah (15) and Azeem Azeez (15) were the only batsmen to make it to double figures.
The win gave GCC its third title in as many segments of the tournament. Fernandes was named man of the match as well as best batsman of the final while Lord and Charwayne McPherson received respective accolades for best bowler and fielder.
At the post match presentation several top performers were also rewarded; best individual performance went to DCC’s Antonnel Atwell (7-25), pacer Carlton Jacques most wickets in the tournament (17), highest individual score (182) Dwayne Peters of Sophia Cricket Club, Charwayne McPherson MVP of zone ‘A’ and Richard Latiff MVP of zone ‘B’.
Also at the presentation, President of the GCA Roger Harper paid respects to all the facets of the sports which was represented.
