Essequibo batters are battling again
– lost to Berbice by six wickets
By Rajiv Bisnauth
ESSEQUIBO youth teams have remained on the path of being consistently inconsistent, and this year their Inter-County Under-19 team is no different.
They suffered their second straight loss when they fell to Berbice by six wickets yesterday in round two of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) Under-19 One-Day Inter-County tournament on LBI grounds. The capitulation sums up the gloomy situation that has hovered over Essequibo cricket for the past two decades.
Similar to Wednesday’s first game against Demerara, the team reluctantly surrendered, and were bowled out for just 96 in 34 overs.
The result means there will be a winner-take-all title demonstration tomorrow between Demerara and Berbice.
In a game reduced to 36 overs aside to facilitate Essequibo’s return journey, opener Sheldon Charles (30), and Lance Roberts (19) were the only two sparklers.
From a 64-7 position, Roberts struck two fours and sixes to split in a 25 run stand for the eighth wicket with Wasim Mohamed, who made ten to propel the total to some respect.
Berbice’s speedy controller, Leon Swammy (2-21), made the first step early, but it was the spinners, backed up by some excellent pitch, resulting in three runs off that blocked the Essequibians.
Impressive left-arm spinner Gourav Ramesh, later man of the match, claimed 3-19, and was well supported by his left-arm spinner Nigel Deodat (1-14), and the outfielder Jonathan Rampersaud (1-14).
The running hunt was relatively easy, although the Ancient team lost four wickets. They eventually reached 98-4 off 30 overs.
Berbice lost opener Shamar Angel without a score to Nicko Vincent (1-13), before Rampertab Ramnauth (21) and Marvon Prashad (24) combined to extend the hunt.
The Berbs, however, lost Ramnauth and Prashad along with Deodat for six; but Aaron Beharry (19 not out), and Seon Glasgow (21 not out) easily secured the win.
Jason Holder (1-29), Roberts (1-22) and Aryan Persaud (1-10) were the other successful bowlers for Essequibo on a losing cause.
Tomorrow’s finale is scheduled to start 09:30 hours at the same venue.