An unbroken century partnership by openers Ronald Renee and Raymond Perez piloted Demerara to 170-0 in their first innings in the rain-affected second day against Berbice when round two of the Guyana Cricket Board U19 three-day Inter-County tournament continued yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club Ground, Camp Road.
Demerara, who dismissed Berbice for 198 in the first innings were trailing their opponents by 28 runs heading into the final day today.
Renee was unbeaten on 89 with 11 fours while Perez cracked four fours in a gritty 69 as Demerara took full advantage of the conditions suited for grinding lacklustre bowling.
After rain threatened to wash out the entire second day, the umpires conducted a few inspections and the first ball was bowled at 15:00hrs with Demerara resuming on 38 without loss.
Renee, who was on 11 and Perez, who had resumed on 18, were then tasked with taking their side as close as possible to Berbice first innings total with just one session of play available.
As the weather began to change from hazy to sunny, the two looked more settled and Renee pulled spinner Asif Ali for the first boundary of the match as Demerara took their total past 50. Renee continued to play his shots and got to his second 50 of the tournament off 97 balls with six fours, taking Demerara past 100 without any hiccups.
Perez joined in on the fun, reaching his 50 as the two took their partnership past 150. Both batsmen showed great application as they ventured close to their hundreds with one day left.
Meanwhile, rain was successful in preventing play between the U17 Select XI and Essequibo. The U17 Select XI posted 243 in their first innings while Essequibo were 78 without loss at stumps on day in reply.
Both matches are expected to bowl off at 9:30hrs weather permitting.
