Demerara defeated Berbice by two wicket yesterday to lift the Guyana Cricket Board/ Hand In Hand under-19 Inter-County title.
A six-wicket haul from left-arm spinner, Michael Pooran ensured Demerara’s decision to bowl after winning the toss to be the right call as Berbice were bundled out for 72 in 25 overs.
In reply, the Berbice spinners proved equally as effective and fought valiantly to keep Demerara on their toes. Despite that, Demerara reached 77 for eight in 25.4 overs.
Demerara were on top of Berbice from the get go as Muslim Youth Organisation’s pacer, Byron Bowen removed West Indies Under-19 prospect, Rampertab Ramnauth, who feathered a simple catch to the wicketkeeper for a six-ball duck in the first over.
Pooran, who plays for Ogle Cricket Club kept the Berbicians quiet and even sat on a hat-trick after removing Shamal Angel and skipper, Gevon Schultz in successive deliveries. But Pooran got the prized wicket of Marvan Prashad, who top scored with 26 to eventually return six wickets for 10 runs.
Seon Glasgow was the only other batsman to show a resistance, making 25 inclusive of two sixes and one four before he was bowled by off-spinner, Dwain Dick (3-19).
In Demerara’s chase, Berbice were spot on from the start with a barrage of spinners. Off-spinner, Jonathan Rampersaud trapped Matthew Nandu leg before wicket for a duck in the first over while a sharp catch by Leon Swamy at cover removed Ushardeva Balgobin for eight in the fifth over.
That control slipped with Mavindra Dindyal (19) and Alvin Mohabir (19) adding 40 for the third wicket and looked set to steer Demerara to the title.
When off-spinner, Aaron Beharry was introduced to the attack, he was struck for three boundaries but broke the partnership with Dindyal attempting another drive over cover. Mohabir, who was dropped on six, departed in the next over when he was bowled by Rampersaud and signaled Demerara’s collapse.
Demerara lost four wickets for just a single run with left-arm spinner, Nigel Deodat removing Dick to a sharp return catch and Demerara’s captain, Andrew Samaroo to a loose swipe only to send the ball racing into the hands of Glasgow at first slip. In the end it was Bowen who held his nerve to hit a six over long off to end on 10 and seal the victory.
