University of Guyana Trojans (UG) cruised into the semifinals after earning a draw against Transport Sports Club at the Everest Cricket Club ground yesterday in the GISE Star Party Rental/ Trophy Stall first-division, two-day tournament.
Transport resumed on 49-1, still trailing by 183 but lost their remaining nine wickets in quick succession to be bundled out for 102 in 49.3 overs.
UG, in reply, posted 250 all out in 47 overs before Transport closed the day on 44-1.
Transport lost Adrian Hinds off the second ball of the day as he failed to add to his overnight score of 33.
Keon Morris was the only batsman apart from Hinds to reach double figures with 16.
Dwayne Dodson ended with an impressive 3-12 with Douglas contributing 2-5 from four overs and Heywood and Ershaad Ali bagged 2-26 and 2-21 respectively.
Despite a lead of 130 runs UG skipper, Melroy Stephenson, decided to bat a second time and he struck seven fours in his knock of 57.
Douglas returned to smash the bowlers including Franchot Duncan-Clarke into the fence twice and on one knee, sweeping Kevin Ross into the boundary at deep square leg on his way to 20.
Lloyd George wasted little time at the crease, also sweeping Ross into the boundary for one of his four fours. He ended unbeaten on 34 as UG’s lead extended to 380.
The 21-year-old Duncan-Clarke removed Ali and Lyndon Austin with successive deliveries but lost his footing and was unable to continue bowling. He ended with 3-53 while Ross claimed 3-86 from 18 overs and Ewart Samuels chipped in with 2-17.
Batting a second time Hinds struck back-to-back boundaries off the spinners and although he lost Akeem Redman for just two, himself and Yearwood were at the close unbeaten on 15 runs each.
UG skipper Stephenson said afterwards that his team played for a draw knowing they needed only five points to advance. Stephenson added that the decision to bat again despite having the option of enforcing the follow on was made in order to give the batsmen a chance to have some batting practice.
Meanwhile, opposing captain, Kevin Ross said Transport were always against the wall, needing 20 points to advance needed a lot from them and losing the toss really set them back but it was a good effort and the team saw some promise in the youngsters.
According to Chairman of the Georgetown Cricket Association’s Competitions Committee, Shaun Massiah, UG, with 73 points will now face Demerara Cricket Club with 69 points in the semifinal while Police Sports Club will battle GNIC in the second semifinal after finishing on 76 and 62 points respectively.
