Demerara made a clean sweep of the GCB/HIH Under-19 50-Overs Inter-County Competition 2016 when they defeated Berbice by 68 runs in the final yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium, copping the Under-19 double championship title.
The final got off to a prompt start with favorable weather conditions. Demerara won the toss and surprisingly elected to bat against Berbice, a team which during the tournament had batted way below their expectations. The decision of Demerara to bat first, placed Berbice in a somewhat fortunate situation, a position in which they could play to their bowling strength.
Fast bowler Sylus Tyndall bowled an impressive opening spell, during which he made openers Raymond Perez and Ronaldo Renee seem very uncomfortable and out of sorts. Tyndall brush the shoulder edge of Raymond Perez bat, only to have the ball fall just short of second slip, while Ronaldo Renee was later dropped at second slip off Tyndall, from a good length delivery that seem to bounce awkwardly at the batsman. Therefore, it was not surprising that Sylus Tyndall would eventually had Raymond Perez caught by Seetaram at second slip for nine with the score on 14.
Talented all-rounder, Sherfane Rutherford, then joined Renee and took the score to 32, before Rutherford attempting to cut, was caught behind for 13 by Brandon Persaud off Joel Seetaram. Demerara captain, Travis Persaud came together with Ronaldo Renee and took the score to 61, before Renee was dismissed, caught by Asif Ally for 14 off Deon Sinclair. Malcom Hubbard was then dismissed by Asif Ali without scoring, to leave the score at 61/4.
Ronaldo Alimohamed joined Travis Persaud and rallied the score to 93 before Travis Persaud was caught by Joel Seetaram for 29 off the bowling of Ezekiel Kempadoo. Then, Gavin Boodwah while on seven, offered a simple return catch to Deon Sinclair, to make the score 106/6. Shortly afterwards, Darshan Persaud was adjudged Lbw to Deon Sinclair for seven, with the score 120/7.
Ronaldo Alimohamed was later caught by Joel Seetaram off Deon Sinclair for 27, with the score 129/8. Ershad Ali and Richie Looknauth applied themselves well, to take the score to 153 , before Ershad Ali was caught and bowl Joel Seetaram for 19. Keshram Seyhodan was then caught and bowl by Asif Ali for one to close Demerara innings at 154 in 47.2 overs.
In reply, Berbice got off to a poor start, losing Zameer Inshan caught by Hubbard off the bowling of Ronaldo Alimohamed for four to make the score 7/1. Alex Alan was then comprehensively bowled Sherfane Rutherford to make the score 22/2. With the score still on 22, opener Adrian Sukwah was then unfortunately run out for six. Brandon Persaud was then stumped off the bowling of Richie Looknauth for six to make the score 37/4.
Mathew Hardial and Joel Seetaram together took the score to 62, before Berbice dependable batsman Hardial was adjudged LBW for 12 off Ershad Ali. Inform bowler, Ershad Ali, then removed Sasenarine Sookhoo caught for one, Sylus Tyndall bowled without scoring and Asif Ally lbw also without scoring. The devastating spell by Ershad Ali was too good for the Berbice lower order batsmen, and they eventually folded for 86.
(Sean Devers photo)