Defending Champions, Demerara, move a step closer to retaining their title when they defeated the national Under-17s by 16 runs in the third round of the GCB/HIH U-19 Inter-County 50-Overs Competition 2016 at the Guyana National Stadium yesterday. This tournament recommenced after a short break that was due to continuous inclement weather.
The match which was intermittently affected by rain, started at 10:00 hours, 30 mins subsequent to the scheduled commencement time, with Demerara batting first. However, only four overs were possible before rain interrupted play with Demerara 13/0.
As a consequence, players were made to sit in hope as dark clouds periodically covers the ground bringing rain or threats of such, which eventually realized a shortened and an early lunch at 12:00 hours. It resulted with play resuming at 12:45 hours and the overs being reduced to 35 overs from 50 over a side.
Ronaldo Renee was the first to out with the score on 35, caught off the bowling of Ashmead Nedd for 12. Viswanauth Ramlakhan was next to go, bowled off Kelvin Umroa for one, with the score 37/2. Umroa then got another breakthrough for the National Under-17, when he had Sherfane Rutherford adjudged LBW for 16, with the score on 62/3.
Raymond Perez who appeared well set was then the fourth batsman to be dismissed for 29, stumped off the bowling of Kelvin Umroa with the score on 80. Two runs later, Travis Persaud was then unfortunately run out for nine. Thereafter, Ronaldo Mohammed and Romnine Maniram took the score 106 runs, before Ronaldo Mohammed was caught off Kevlon Anderson for 23. Romnine Maniram then followed caught off the bowling Ashmead Nedd for three, with score on 108/7.
Ramnarine Chatura and Samuel Mc Kenzie then attempted to build on the team’s score until McKenzie was tactlessly run out with the score 129/8. Ramnarine Chatura was then bowled by Kevlon Anderson for 13, leaving Richie Looknauth and Keshran Seyhaian to see Demerara through their reduced allotment of 35 overs, closing their innings 0n 140/9.
Bowling for the National Select Under-17, Kelvin Umroa, Kevlon Anderson and Ashmead Nedd grabbed two wickets apiece for 19, 29 and 30 runs respectively.
Due to the loss of 15 overs after the start of play, where Demerara were 13 without loss at the end of 13 overs, it meant the National Under-17 would be set a Duckworth, Lewis and Stern revised target of 145 for victory, barring any further loss of play.
In reply, the National Under-17 got off to a watchful start, reaching 33 before losing their first wicket in Bhaskar Yadram for six. Sachin Singh was next dismissed caught off the bowling of Travis Persaud for a solid 27. Travis Persaud also accounted for Joshua Persaud wicket, dismissing him 18, with the score 76 for three. Javed Karim immediately followed caught off Travis Persaud for 15, to make the score 77/4.
Then without, troubling the scores Kevlon Anderson was bowled by Richie Looknauth, to make the score 77/5 for duck, as did Kurt Lovel who was caught off the bowling of Richie looknauth for duck, leaving the score at 77 for 6. Kevin Sinclair was then the fourth wicket to fall with the National under-17 team on 77, when he was caught off Travis Persuad for one. Alphius Bookie followed shortly afterwards caught off the bowling of Richie Looknauth for two, to make the score on 82/8.
Ashmead Nedd and Joshua Jones then took the score to 126, before Nedd was bowled by Ronaldo Mohammed for 12. Ronaldo Mohammed then had the stubborn and determined Joshua Jones caught for 28 at mid-off, trying an out of character shot, to end the National Under-17 effort at 128 all out, in a failed attempt to reach the 145 Duckworth Lewis and Stern target.
Bowling for Demerara, Travis took 4/11, Richie Looknauth took 3/13 and Ronaldo Mohammed 2/26.
Demerara won by 16 runs on the Duckworth Lewis and Stern method.
The other third round match is contested today between Essequibo and Berbice at the Guyana National Stadium. The winner will meet Demerara in the final tomorrow, Sunday, May 22, 2016. Match is scheduled to start at 9:30 hrs.