By Royston Alkins
Chase Academy yesterday stormed into the quarter-finals of the Guyana Cricket Board/Ministry of Education/National Secondary Schools limited overs tournament after defeating Charlestown secondary by 73 runs at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground.
Chase Academy were indebted to a fine innings from 14-year old Dwayne Dick.
Chase Academy, who won the toss and batted on a wicket producing low bounce, managed to post 144 for 6 from their allotted 30 overs.
The national defending champions at one point were finding it difficult to score with the total at 43 for 1 after 15 overs, at the first water break, with Sachin Singh and Dick at the wicket. The two established a solid foundation that enabled their side to add another 101 runs in the final 15 overs.
Singh, however was dismissed for 25 from 52 balls with a solitary six by fellow DCC club mate, Qumar Torrington who bowled impressively to end the 62 run partnership.
Torrington shortly after returned to dislodge another club mate and danger man Ashmead Nedd.
Dick, who batted at first drop, seemed unfazed and played a number of elegant strokes, flicking a ball angled on his pads to bring up his 50 then smashing a free hit for six in the same over to start a mini assault on the Charlestown bowlers.
Chants of “go Dick”, “go Dick,” from his school mates who were out in their numbers, added life to the match as Dick went on his merry way.
The tall right-hander was however dismissed for a well-played 89 from 82 balls (inclusive of five fours and five sixes), in the final over of the innings to the dismay of the small crowd who viewed his knock. Apart from Dick and Singh, no other batsman reached double figures with extras contributing 20.
Charlestown skipper, Torrington captured 3 for 9 from six overs, three of which were maidens. Dante Rambarran ended with 2 for 35 from five overs.
Charlestown, in their pursuit of Chase’s 144, never really seemed up to it. They were eventually bundled out for 71 in 21.2 overs. Extras top scored with 26 while Jamal Michael struck 18. Charlestown’s Skipper Torrington, who made 12, had strolled to the wicket in the eight over with his team struggling at 15 for 2. He spanked the first delivery he faced for four to up the ante and signalled his positive intent to the delight of a teacher at who was heard shouting, “play straight, play straight.” Torrington, however, was bowled for 12 in the 12th over by Kadeem Parris with the score 46-3.
Nedd continued his impressive run at this level ending with 2-12 from five overs. He received good support from Tairhys Payne 2 for 11 from 4 overs and Orande Chase 2 for 16.
Chase will now move on to play the winners of the clash between Mahaicony Secondary school and Institute of Business Education (IBE) in the National quarter final slated Tuesday.
