In a replay of last year’s decider, Georgetown turned the tide, storming to the Demerara Cricket Board Under-19 Inter-Association title after beating former champions, East Bank by 164 runs in the final round yesterday.
Playing at the Wales Community Development Centre ground, where water was backed up onto the boundary and inched onto the field of play as the match progressed due to an alleged pump malfunction, East Bank won the toss and inserted Georgetown to bat who posted 207-8 from their allotted overs.
Chasing 208 for victory, East Bank were bundled out for an embarrassing 45 in 23.4 overs.
Georgetown, batting on a flat wicket under mostly cloudy conditions were led by half centuries from Alphius Bookie and Joel Spooner.
Bookie top scored with 59 consisting of five boundaries, two of which were successively struck off of Odida Douglas. The first was cut late through first and second slip while the second was a timely punch past the bowler.
Bookie shared in a 74-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Spooner who made an even half century.
Spooner pummeled three fours and a lone six off of Vickash Jaikarran until he was bowled by off-spinner, Anil Beharry who ended with 3-21.
Jamal Michaels then ripped through the lower order to end with 3-24.
Garrick Persaud and Adrian Hinds scored 10 and 13 runs respectively while Devon Allen, who was dropped on zero, scored 16 including successive sixes over mid-wicket and into the trench off of Dwain Dick.
In the chase, East Bank could not handle left-arm seamer, Dequan Bamfield who troubled every batsman to end with 4-20. Bamfield got the ball to drift in the air and nip back into the batsmen off the surface. The pacer ensured Andsuegga Rodrigues did not make good of a chance when he was on zero after trapping him leg before wicket.
Only West Indies Under-16 batsman, Mavindra Dindyal batted positively despite being bowled on a free hit by Bamfield. He struck two boundaries in his 15 runs before his stumps were sent cartwheeling several feet by Bamfield.
No other batsman reached double figures as Spooner returned to take two wickets in four balls supported by left-arm spinner, Daniel Mootoo with 2-7.
After the match, successful captain, Qumar Torrington explained that he felt his side had enough on the board to defend but was more interested in the practice Demerara had heading into the Inter-County on Tuesday.
Torrington noted that Demerara has some quality players participating in the tournament and it was a good sign for what is to come from them.
