On a day in which some 25 wickets fell, defending champions Demerara were facing defeat at the end of the first day’s play of the final round match against Essequibo in the Guyana Cricket Board/Hand-in-Hand U19, three-day tournament at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, yesterday.
Demerara were dismissed for 40 runs in their first innings and were five wickets down in their second innings still trailing by 12 runs.
When play began yesterday, Demerara won the toss and elected to bat a decision which proved costly for them as they collapsed for 40.
Essequibo, in their first innings were bowled out for 143 and Demerara closed on 91-5 at the close of play.
A revamped Demerara side missing key players Nkosi Beaton, Qumar Torrington and captain, Bhaskar Yadram was always going to find the going difficult.
To compound matters, vice-captain, Sagar Hatirimani was overlooked for the captaincy which was handed to Adrian Hinds.
Joshua Jones and Joel Fortune once again tore into a batting line up, bagging three wickets each.
Kennard Moonsammy top scored with 11 runs including two fours and was the only batsman to reach double figures.
Jones removed the two opening batsman, including West Indies U-19 player Joshua Persaud for ducks. Demerara looked to be in T20 mode with the longest partnership being just 12 runs. Quintin Sampson was also amongst the wickets, picking up two in the innings of just 21 overs.
Jones finished with 3-10, Fortune took 3-13 and Sampson 2-9.
When Essequibo batted, despite losing Kevin Christian for seven with the score on nine, Orlando Jailall teamed up with Kurt Lovell to add 60 for the second wicket.
By the end of the partnership, Lovell had blasted four fours and two sixes for his 43.
Sampson scored 31 while Jones struck two sixes and a four in his 21. Nedd and Khan both bagged five wicket hauls for 43 and 42 runs respectively with Khan missing out on a hat trick.
Demerara started their second innings with a 47-run opening stand between Persaud and Hinds who each made 31.
Persaud stroked seven fours while Hinds struck two sixes and one four.
Leg spinner, Sherlan Anthony picked up two late wickets with Hatirimani the batman at the crease on four, heading into the second day.
The match resumes at 10:00h.
