All–rounder Sherfane Rutherford inspired East Bank to a tense come-from-behind 26-run victory over Georgetown after grabbing a second innings `five for’ and a match haul of 12 – 56 in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Jaguars three – day franchise league at the Lusignan Community Centre Ground, yesterday.
Georgetown, requiring 83 runs for victory with more than a day-and-a-half remaining, found the task a daunting one after routing East Bank for 103 on the stroke of lunch on day two.
First innings hero Rutherford was once again a thorn in the side’s of the batsman with his steady line, dismissing the first three batters including Robin Bacchus (0) who scored the only half-century of the match to leave the score on 29 – 4 and complete his maiden 10 – wicket haul.
Left – arm spinner Totaram Bishun captured the other wicket to fall.
Sunil Singh, after the early wickets to fall, dug in and, along with Devon Lord, added 26 golden runs to carry the score to 54 before Ronaldo Ali – Mohammed had Singh caught at short midwicket from a miscued pull – shot for 32 which came off 61 balls.
The game swung on its head after his demise as Rutherford and Bishun removed the next five wickets with the score on 56 to complete the spirited come-from-behind victory.
Rutherford, who was consistent, exploited the conditions smartly to end with 5 – 11 and a match haul of 12 for 59 while Bishun, who bowled well in tandem with Rutherford, supported with 4 – 15 from six overs as Georgetown was routed in 25.1 overs with a day and a session remaining in the match.
East Bank, resuming on 20 – 2 and trailing by a solitary run, found themselves in a dodgy position at 37 – 5, earning a slim lead but also being in danger of an early dismissal.
National under – 17 seamer Qumar Torrington got the early breakthrough by removing Sachin Singh (6) and Ronaldo Ali – Mohammed (0) who was bowled and who completed a pair.
Gajanand Suknanan was responsible for the other wicket to fall after Sherfane Rutherford (1) edged a delivery from him to first slip.
Suknanan struck again to remove Skipper Vishaul Singh (28) who, before his dismissal seemed resolute and looked in control of his innings, grinding it out on a wicket which would have tested the technique, character and temperament of the best batsman in the world.
His demise came with the score on 60 – 7 and the lead 39.
Number eight Ershaad Ali (30) and number nine Deonarine Seegobin (6), stuck around and combined for for an invaluable 43-run, eight-wicket partnership to push East Bank past 100.
Left arm spinner Devon Lord (2-3) then wrapped up the innings with the score on 103 in the 37th over.
Torrington, who started the day with two early scalps, ended with 2 – 13 while Paul Wintz (2-19) and off – spinner Suknanan (3-22) were the other wicket takers.
