Skipper Ronaldo Ali Mohamed underlined his status as being one of the most talented young all-rounders in the Caribbean by leading Demerara to a comprehensive 130-run victory over Berbice Select XI, thus earning the title, when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) U-17 Inter- County 50-over tournament concluded yesterday.
Mohamed top scored with 78 as Demerara recovered from 58-5 to post 174 all out in 47.5 overs after they elected to bat at the Demerara Cricket Club.
The home team suffered an early set back when Joshua Persaud was dismissed for two with the score on 12. Raymond Perez and Bhaskar Yadram then added 32 for the second wicket before Yadram was caught by wicket-keeper Adrian Sukwah off spinner Asif Ally for 22. The host then lost three quick wickets to find themselves in difficulty.
However, Mohamed and Perez stabilized the innings somewhat with a sixth wicket stand of 33 before Perez was caught at the wicket off left arm spinner Joshua Harrichand for 30. Mohamed timed the ball well, smashing seven fours and four sixes as he dominated an eight-wicket stand of 39 with Richie Looknauth (11) to guide his team to a challenging total. Ally grabbed 4-21, while Harrichand claimed 2-37 and Cylus Tyndall 2-44.
Mohamed and off-spinner Looknauth made early inroads, reducing Berbice Select XI to 3 wickets for 5 runs. They never recovered and were sent crushing for 44 in 32.1 overs as the home team bowlers maintained a steady line and length. Only Steve Deonairne managed double figures with 12; Mohamed captured 3-4, Sagar Hathirimani 3-10, Tameshwar Motiram 3-18 and Looknauth 1-6.
Mohamed was given the man of the match award while Demerara received a trophy.
At the presentation ceremony, President of the GCB Drubahadur congratulated Demerara and urged the players to take the game seriously.
At Eve Leary, the U-15 team defeated Essequibo by 16 runs. Batting first, the U-15 team scored 218 all out in 50 overs. Kelvin Anderson cracked 48 and Alphius Bookie 40. Mahendra Persaud snared 2-14, Beesham Moses 2-33, Joshua Jones 2-41 and Manoj Ramraj 2-43.
Essequibo responded with 202 all out in 45 overs. Skipper Mark Williams struck 59; Mahendra Persaud scored 36, Jamal Wilson 20 and Moses 15. Ashmead Nedd picked up 3-19, Kevin Omroa 2-29 and Narendra Persaud 2-48. Anderson was named man of the match.
(Taken from Kaieteur news)