Andrew Samaroo played one of the most responsible innings at the U19 level to seal a last ball victory for East Coast over West Demerara at Lusignan yesterday in the final round of the Demerara Inter Association tournament.
Needing seven runs off the last over and one wicket remaining, Samaroo swung a delivery from the off spinner to Derrick Foo who settled under it only to put it down.
The next four deliveries were milked to bring the equation down to one run or one wicket to win from one ball.
Samaroo duly pushed the final ball of the match to cover for a quick single, ending on 33 not out to add to his two wickets that saved the game for East Coast.
Needing 156 for victory, East Coast started steadily with opener Robin Williams playing well for 43 before West Demerara skipper, Navendra Persaud, picked up three quick wickets to swing the match in favour of West Demerara.
Consistent wickets brought the game to an almost certain win for West Demerara but when number eight batsman Damucka Ngqundo stepped to the crease, and his team needing all but 48 runs with six overs remaining, he played with the class of a top order batsman, smacking Usharrdiva Balgobin for 14 runs off to swing the game back East Coast’s way.
Now needing 13 from four overs, Ngqyundo played Aditya Persaud hard back to him and he held on to ensure the match to down to the wire as the following overs went as maidens.
Earlier, back to back wickets that removed Troy Persaud (04) and dangerman Andre Seepersaud (0) to a stunning caught and bowled. But the middle order revived the innings with Satesh Basdeo (21) and Persaud (24) saw them climb out the hole.
But it was Balgobin, who usually opens but batted at eight pushed them to the total with an innings worth 39 and Aaron Persaud smashing three fours and a six for a cameo of 20 as West Demerara rolled over for 155.
Saadiq Khan picked up 4-38 which ripped through the heart of the West Demerara batting while Samaroo earlier, troubled the batting with his off soon to claim 2-28 and Pradesh Balkishun 2-19.
