Berbice defeated the President’s XI by 206 runs while Georgetown secured a seven-wicket win over Essequibo in the opening rounds of the Guyana Cricket Board/Dave West Indian Imports Under-15 tournament yesterday.
At the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Berbice won the toss and elected to bat on a brown wicket with scattered drizzles replenishing the former international venue. Berbice posted an imposing 286 for four from their allotted overs before containing the President’s XI to 80 all out in 39.2 overs.
Leading the batting for the Ancient County was West Indies Under-16 batsman, Rampertab Ramnauth who fell six short of a century.
The Port Mourant Cricket Club product, started off with a less than flambouyant performance, giving the opposition a few chances but shifted gear and raced to 94 from 98 balls while hitting two sixes and 10 fours, one of which was pulled through mid-wicket to bring up his half century.
However, after hitting his second six over long off, the next ball was flicked to square leg to end an innings that captivated the near 50 spectators at the historic venue.
While at the crease, Ramnauth forged an opening stand of 179 with Avishkar Persaud who, despite being dropped on 25, also enjoyed success at the crease with a 108-ball 66, decorated with five fours before piercing the sky and gifting a simple catch to Afraz Kadir. Nevertheless, a third-wicket partnership of 60 between Rashaad Gafur (30) and Sanjay Algoo (29) boosted Berbice as well as 55 extras.
In the chase, Kadir looked to give the President’s XI a decent start and looked comfortable at the crease with a-ball-a-run 18 but pacer, Shiv Harripersaud forced him to push a catch to short cover. Harripersaud also uprooted the middle stump of Tularam Chintamani.
After Harripersaud’s exploits, the spinners kept the President’s XI batsmen at bay with Kumar Deopersaud (2-16), Matthew Pottaya (2-10) and Sanjay Algoo (1-5) among the wickets. Skipper, Stephon Sankar made 13.
So did Dave Mohabir, whose unbeaten innings spanned 71 balls and nearly an hour batting at number nine. He was cheered on by the crowd.
Meanwhile, at the Lusignan Community Centre ground, defending champions, Georgetown, dismissed Essequibo for a paltry 56 in 36 overs before reaching 57 for three from a mere 15.4 overs. Nicholas Shewpersaud (3-11) and Sachin Balgobin who also picked up three wickets without giving away a run were the principal bowlers. Extras was the top contribution with 14 and only Sahziff Mohamed (12) reached double figures. Riyad Latif then guided Georgetown past their target with 25 while Shewpersaud finished on 13 not out.
Tomorrow’s second round will see Essequibo taking on President’s XI at Everest and Berbice facing Demerara at Lusignan.
