President of the Guyana Cricket Board, Drubahadur, Marketing Manager Raj Singh, competitions committee chairman Colin Europe, chairman of selection panel Rayon Griffith and Director of Sports, Christopher Jones, greeted the Guyana Under-19 team yesterday when they arrived at the Eugene Correira International Airport after they successfully defended their Regional title on Sunday, 21 August 2016 in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Drubahadur said it is heartening to see the team defending the title after a below par performance in the three-day format, adding that the entire country is proud of them. Jones stated they are very excited that Guyana successfully defended their crown and urged them to remain committed to the game and to continue to strive for greater things in the future so that the can represent the regional at the higher level, while Singh stated that he is looking forward to see the players in the upcoming Jaguars three-day League.

Captain Travis Persaud told the media that although they didn’t perform to their best in the three-day, he was confident they would have successfully defended their 50-over title and congratulated his team mates and management team. Persaud, who missed the final due to an injury, explained that the senior players really stepped up and singled out Kemo Paul, who apart from being the MVP, took the most wickets in the tournament and Joshua Persaud for being wicket-keeper with the most dismissals.

In the final Guyana dismissed Windward Islands for 142 off 42.2 overs, after they were undermined by West Indies Under-19 seamer Paul (3-16), off-spinner Looknauth Chinkoo (3-32) and Rutherford (2-23).

Johnel Eugene top-scored with 42 and opener Emmanuel Stewart chipped in with 22.

Chasing 143, the Guyanese eased to victory with eight overs remaining, to build on recent successes in Jamaica last year and in Georgetown two years ago. Middle order batsman Bhaskar Yadram top-scored with an unbeaten 41, Raymond Perez got 24, Sherfane Rutherford chipped in with 21 and Keemo Paul 20. Jonathon Taylor (2-16) and left-arm spinner Alick Athanaze (2-27) finished with two wickets apiece.

It is the third straight year in which Guyana has won the Regional under 19 50 overs competition.