The University of Guyana (UG) ended day one of their Noble House Seafoods second-division, two-day contest against Bel Air Rubis on 14-1, trailing by 56 runs batting a second time at the Queen’s College ground. The students surrendered first innings points.
The day began with UG winning the toss and electing to bat but, after an encouraging start, were skittled out for 139 inside 30 overs after receiving a useful start from openers Yogendra Singh (36) and Melroy Stephenson (28).
The pair added 63 runs, however, they were left stuttering as off-spinner Arvin Gainda grabbed 6-26 – his first five-wicket haul at the GCA level – to bring his side back in the contest as only Anthony Fredericks (23) and Ershaad Alli (20) provided further resistance.
Bel Air in their first innings response were dismissed for 209 in 51.2 overs, securing first innings points and a lead of 70 runs. Major contributions came from opener Keon Franklin who struck seven fours and three sixes in a fine knock of 73.
He got support from former national under – 19 batsman Krishan Deosarran (42) who missed out on a well-deserved half-century. Left-arm spinner Damion Vantull grabbed 5-44 to end as the pick of the bowlers for UG.
Meanwhile, over at Everest, the host outplayed Diplomats on the opening day and secured first-innings points on the back of a stellar bowling performance from former national youth player Javed Rasheed.
Everest batting first, posted 159 before being dismissed with Ushardev Balgobin blasting 74. He got support from Richie Looknauth (34) and Dwayne Adams (24).
Mortimer King (3-20) and Nigel Simpson (3-20) shared six wickets between them for the visitors who were shot out for 78 in 28 overs with Rasheed bagging 8-12 from 7.4 over. Everest batting a second time are 7-1 heading into the final day.
