Berbice U-19s beat Essequibo by six wickets

The Berbice U-19s got their campaign off to a winning start against their Essequibian counterparts with a comfortable six-wicket victory.

Essequibo won the toss and on this occasion took the opportunity to bat first. Promising youth player, Sheldon Charles, opening the batting, played an intelligent inning before being superbly run out by Nigel Deodat in the 70th minute of the match. A seemingly fatal blow to Essequibo, resulting in Charles returning to the pavilion after contributing 30 off 66 balls, in a knock that contained a solitary four.

Subsequent to the dismissal of Charles, the Essequibo batsmen seemed uncertain in their approach to post a respectable score, ending their innings in the 34th over for meagre 96 all out. The other main contributors with the bat were number 9 batsman Lance Roberts with 19 in 16 minutes off just 12 balls, inclusive of 2 fours, number 6 batsman Aryan Persaud who notched a patient 15 in 63 minutes off 45 balls, and Wazim Mohamed who made 10 in 22 minutes, off 21 balls.

Bowling for Berbice, Gourav Ramesh returned the impressive figures of 3 for 19 from 6 overs, Leon Swammy outstanding figures of 2 for 21 from 7 overs, while Jonathan Rampersaud and Nigel Deodat respectively claimed 1 for 14 off 8 overs, inclusive of two maiden and 1 for 14 from 6 overs, including one maiden.

However, Essequibo’s decision to bat first and inspire their bowlers to successfully defend a set target, produced a glimpse of hope, with a superb collaborate effort from bowlers Aryan Persaud who took 1 for 10 from 5 overs with one maiden, Nicko Vincent who grabbed 1 for 13 from 5 overs, Lance Roberts 1 for 22 from his allotted 8 overs, inclusive of one maiden and Jason Holder who returned figures of 1 for 29 from 7 overs.

Berbice navigated their way to 98 for 4 off 30 of their allotted 36 overs, with Marvan Prasad leading the way with 24 in 68 minutes, off 54 balls, inclusive of 2 fours, Rampertab Ramnauth 21 in 70, off 47 balls, in a knock which included 3 fours, Seon Glasgow an unbeaten 21 in 25 minutes, off 24 balls with a solitary four, while Aaron Beharry was the other not out batsman with 19 in 48 minutes, off 36 balls, a a knock which included 2 fours. Gourav Ramesh was adjudged Man of the Match for his excellent bowling figures of 3 for 19 from 6 overs.