The first-round match of the Guyana Cricket Board/Dave West Indian Imports’ Inter-County Under-15 tournament got off to a blazing start for Demerara who pummelled Essequibo to a nine-wicket defeat yesterday at the Lusignan Community Center Ground.
A handful of spectators at the venue saw Essequibo winning the toss and electing to bat first, a decision they soon regretted.
Thaddeus Lovell, in the first over of the match, had both openers back in the shed without scoring, trapping Mahindra Basdeo LBW and bowling Ken George.
Jarrad Allicock joined Raynard Ramroop and the pair added 17 precious runs before Albert Ali removed Allicock for four and Steven Corbin for a duck within three deliveries.
Essequibo, struggling at 18-4, were indebted to.
Ramroop and Ronaldo Scouten who resisted the Demerara bowling attack in a stand worth 22 runs before Ramroop departed for 11.
Dwayne Fredericks, Gladwin Henry and Devindra Ramadhin all fell without scoring and top scorer Scouten (12) was removed by Chanderpaul Ramraj who returned figures of 4-6.
Lovell, Ali and Romel Datterdin each captured two wickets as Essequibo were routed for 45 of which extras contribution was 15.
Demerara lost only one wicket in their run chase that of Nicholas Rajpat who was bowled by Basdeo for five while opener Shamar Yearwood retired hurt after being struck with the fifth delivery he faced.
Datterdin, 14 not out, finished the match with a massive six. With him was Mahendra Dindyal not out on seven as Demerara coasted to victory inside just seven overs.
Essequibo was very sloppy with the ball allowing 20 extras including 11 wides and five no-balls.
Essequibo will now face the President’s XI at Tuschen while Demerara will play defending champions, Berbice at Everest tomorrow.
