A half century from Chetram Balgobin followed by a four-wicket haul from Reynaldo Mohammed spurred East Coast to a 51-run win over East Bank and the capture of the Demerara Cricket Board Inter-Association Under-17 title yesterday at the Lusignan Community Centre ground.
East Coast were invited to bat and they posted 165-8 from their 50 overs.
East Coast, in reply, crumbled to 114 all out in 45.5 overs. East Coast’s batting centered around the 15-year-old Balgobin who stroked 57 aided by two boundaries and five sixes, three of which were struck consecutively off of off-spinner, Inderjit Nanan over mid-off and brought up his half century in the process.
The Enmore resident made use of his chances after being dropped on 15 and 19 at short leg and behind the stumps respectively to take the game from away East Coast. Balgobin shared in a 51-run stand for the seventh wicket with Rudranauth Kissoon (13 not out) to propel East Coast past the 150-run mark.
Earlier, Chandrapaul Hemraj and Romel Datterdeen were constructive with a 33-run partnership, scoring 21 and 25 runs respectively.
East Bank were sloppy in the fielding and gave away 22 extras. They also dropped a total of seven catches.
Elnathan Suknandan (2-19), Mathew Nandu (2-19) and Jaffar Pinder (2-14) were the wicket takers.
In reply, East Bank lost the plot after Rahul Singh and Mavindra Dindyal were dismissed without a run on the board. However, they were rescued by Nandu who stroked his second half century in three matches and was the only batsman that seemed comfortable at the crease.
Nandu, who lives in Canada, stroked three boundaries including a scoop and a pull to deep square leg to bring up the land mark.
Rivaldo Phillips had a positive approach until he was dismissed by Kissoon for 21.
Mohammed was virtually unplayable with his left arm orthodox that trapped Nandu leg before wicket. He also scattered the stumps of Shivkumar Permaul and Joash Charles. Meanwhile, over at Wales Community Development Center, Georgetown defeated West Demerara by 121 runs. Georgetown won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 161-5 from their allotted 39 overs after the quota was reduced because of rain. In reply, West Demerara flattered to deceive, posting a paltry 40 in 21.2 overs.
Georgetown were indebted to Brandon Jaikarran who stroked an even half century as well as Zachariah Mootoo and Niran Bissu who stroked 34 not out and 29 respectively. Daniel Roberts and Nityananad Mathura picked up two wickets each.
In the chase, only Andre Seepersaud managed double figures with 12 as Daniel Mootoo grabbed 4-9 and Joel Gilkes took 3-9.
