By Royston Alkins
Transport Sports Club (TSC) ended the first day of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/Noble House Seafoods second-division two-day cricket final yesterday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda on 68 for 6 in response to GNIC’s first innings total of 167 to leave the final interestingly poised when play resumes today from 11am.
TSC had earlier won the toss and inserted GNIC whose openers weathered the storm to post 50 in the 15th over when opener Marc Nicholson worked off-spinner Kevin Ross through mid-wicket for two runs. TSC, however, got their first bit of success in the 18th over when Ross had Nicholson (33) caught at short square-leg to leave GNIC 52 for 1. They lost three other wickets quickly to end the first session on 130 for 4 with opener Stephen Campbell on 48 and Ranole Bourne yet to score.
The game, however, turned on its head after the break as GNIC lost their last six wickets for 37 runs. Campbell top scored with 62 while receiving support from Nicholson (33) and Premchan Sookdeo who made 28. Off – spinner Rafael Singh bagged 6-29 for TSC to end GNIC’S first innings at 167 from 66. 5 overs.
TSC, in their turn at the crease, were tottering at the end of the first day’s play on 68 for 6 in reply.
TSC were in early trouble with the score on 33 for 3 with Royston Simon dismissing Ryan Hemraj for 11 while Deswin Butts dismissed Charwayne McPherson (16) and Devaughn Nandan (2).
They slipped to further trouble when spinners Gajanan Suknanan and Clyde Butts grabbed three more wickets to leave TSC stuttering at 59 for 6.
Shawn Massiah and Azeem Azeeze, however, saw their side to the close with their unbroken nine run partnership.
Play resumes at 11am today with TSC still 99 runs behind on first innings with four wickets remaining.
