The President’s XI defeated Essequibo by eight wickets while Berbice beat Demerara by 64 runs as the second round of the Guyana Cricket Board/Dave West Indian Imports Under-15 Inter County tournament unfolded yesterday.
At Everest Cricket Club, Essequibo won the toss and elected to bat, posting 147 in 37 overs while the President’s XI replied with 148 for two in 40.5 overs.
Essequibo were kept quiet by off-spinner Stephon Sankar who ripped through the top order to end with four for 25.
The skipper was aided by fellow spinner, Afraz Budhoo, who picked up three for 26.
Shaazif Mohamed, though, countered with a pyrotechnical 32 from 67 balls, stroking three boundaries.
Mohamed lost partners regularly but when Adesh Dass came to the crease, the pair forged a 48-run sixth wicket partnership.
Dass, who made 46 from 72 balls looked positive in his approach, smacking one of his two sixes against the Atlantic breeze and into the mid-wicket boundary.
He also struck four fours.
After hitting his second six over long on, Dass was dropped on 22 at mid-wicket, the ball rolling into the boundary.
Apart from openers, Rajendra Ramballi (16) and Benny Persaud (13), no other batsman reached double figures.
In reply, Afrazfrazal Kadir once again demonstrated his variety of shots around the wicket with a hustling 40 from 52 balls. The pint-sized left hander, showcased his cuts and pulls and even swept a delivery from a seamer for one of his five boundaries. Kadir added 80 for the first wicket with Tularam Chintamani who made 16 from 38 balls.
However, after Dass dismissed both openers, Sankar and Tulsiram Ramcharran steered their side over the line with unbeaten scores of 25 each, the two, sharing in an unbroken partnership of 60.
Meanwhile, Berbice posted 140 for seven and then restricted the city side to 76 all out in 40.2 overs.
Berbice had collapsed to 60 for six at one stage before Salim Khan saved the innings with an unbeaten 34, laced with four boundaries. He partnered with Matthew Pottaya, who made 14 not out while opener, Rampertab Ramnauth made 27. Alex Datterdeen picked up four for 12 while Hemraj Harripersaud bagged two for 24.
Defending champions, Demerara seemed ready for the chase but were undermined by Khan who returned to take three for 17. Pottaya also got among the wickets, taking three for 22 while Sanjay Algoo took two for 12.
Demerara has made their final round clash against the President’s XI tomorrow a virtual semi-final at the Georgetown Cricket Club while Berbice, who have two wins already, have secured their spot in the final. They will meet Essequibo in the final round at Lusignan.
