GCA/Cellink Plus First Division
JOINT defending champions Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) have earned the right to face Everest Cricket Club in the final of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/Cellink Plus sponsored first division final, after they defeated Malteenoes Sports Club by 42 runs in their semi final encounter yesterday.

In the other semi- final which was played at the Everest Cricket Club ground, the home team defeated Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) on first innings to book their place in the final.

But it was the GNIC/MSC match which was played at the MSC ground in Thomas Lands, that provided the entertainment for the small crowd gathered on hand, especially with the cameo innings from former national and West Indies Under-19 captain and vice- captain respectively, Steven Jacobs.

After seeing his team fall short by 67 runs in their first innings, as they were bowled out for 210, thanks to the belated efforts of Damian Van Tull who struck a belligerent 75 (7×6; 3×4), after starting the day on 157-7, MSC bowled out their opponents for 214 the second time around.

Former national Under-17 skipper and wicketkeeper/batsman Dexter Solomon with 46 (3×4; 2×6), Dwayne Dick 40 (3×6; 2×4) and Ranole Bourne 39 (3×4; 2×6) were the principal scorers in GNIC’s second innings against the bowling of Danny Narayan (4-64) and Jacobs who took 3-36.

Needing to score 282 for a come from behind victory, Jacobs who opened the batting with Shemroy Barrington, blasted a cameo 33 ball 81, decorated with five sixes and nine fours, but only Narayan 53 (2×4; 3×6), Safraz Esau 27 (5×4) and Jeremiah Harris 26 were able to offer resistance to the GNIC bowling led by former national off- spinner Clyde Butts (3-33) with support from Ken Alphonso (2-19) and his son Collis Butts who took 2-44.

At Everest, it was a first innings affair in a game which eventually meandered out into a tame draw, after commencing 55 minutes late due to wet spots on the pitch.

After being bowled out for 246 in their first innings, Everest rebounded to restrict DCC who started the day on 105-3 with national all rounder Christopher Barnwell unbeaten on 47, to 199, with Barnwell contributing 68 and Darwin Christian 38.

Former national Under-19 spinner Chris Surat (4-44) and former national and West Indies Under-15 spinner Amir Khan who took 3-51, did the damage with the ball for Everest, who were bowled out for 156 in their second innings.

Demerara senior team wicketkeeper/batsman Joseph Perry (31) and Khan 29 showed resistance in the batting against the bowling of national fast bowler Trevon Garraway who took four wickets and Barnwell three.

Needing to score 203 to win, DCC were 10-1 in their second innings when the game was called off, thus ensuring Everest go on to meet GNIC in the final which will be a three- day affair on a date to be announced later.