GCB three-day first division in Berbice …
THE Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) national first division three-day cricket competition got started in the Ancient County of Berbice last Saturday and Sunday, with three matches being played in the West Berbice/East Berbice/New Amsterdam/Canje group.

Highlighting the weekend’s play was the batting performance of two former national Under-19 cricketers, both of them playing for Bermine, in opening batsman Devon Clements who slammed an unbeaten 201 (24×4, 4×6) and Eugene La Fleur 148 (22×4, 3×6), the two of them featuring in a third-wicket stand of 301, to help Bermine amass 406 for 8 in their first innings response to Edinburgh’s 169.

La Fleur had taken 6-45 from 18 overs in Edinburgh’s innings and at the end of the second day, Edinburgh were 160-5 in their second innings, still short by 89 runs, to make Bermine bat again. Left-arm spinner La Fleur had picked up two more wickets to take his tally to eight in the match so far.

Berbice Under-15 all-rounder Kevin Ramdeen hit 71 for Rose hall Community Centre but with former Berbice Under-19 pacer Devendra Ramoutar taking 6-38 from 13 overs for Young Warriors, as Rose Hall were restricted to 191 in their first innings.

Young Warriors’ reply of 341-7 declared was spearheaded by Guyana Under-19 middle order batsman Seon Hetmyer (82), Berbice batsman Richard Ramdeen (79) and former Berbice batsman Maxie De Jonge (55).

By the end of the second day’s play Rose Hall Community Centre were bowled out for 259 in their second innings with Vedesh Singh top-scoring with 88. Maxie De Jonge bowling medium pace took four wickets, leaving Young Warriors to score 110 runs in their second inning to complete an outright victory.

Albert Sinclair hit 77 in Police’s first innings of 221 all out against Blairmont Community Centre who by the end of the first day replied strongly with 103 without loss, with Ramesh Budhram unbeaten on 74, but due to the unavailability of the Blairmont ground, that match could not continue on Sunday.

In scores from matches played:

At Edinburgh, Bermine have so far taken first innings points from Edinburgh. Edinburgh, winning the toss and batting first, returning 169 with Denny David 42, Ganesh Yadram 36, Mark Sampson 25, Raid Ali 2; Eugene La Fleur 6 for 45, off-spinner Devon Clements 2 for 33, pacer Mark Jackman 2 for 37 and second innings 160-5 with Ganesh Yadram 46, Raid Ali 39, Shafiek Khan 35; Eugene La Fleur 2-36, Joemal La Fleur 2- 37.

Bermine first innings 406-9 declared with Devon Clements 201 not out, Eugene La Fleur 146; Mark Sampson 3-67 and Raid Ali 3- 95.

At Rose Hall in Canje, Young Warriors have so far take first innings points from Rose Hall Community Centre. Rose Hall Community Centre winning the toss and batting first, scored 191 with Kevin Ramdeen 71, Devendra Ramoutar 6-38 and second innings 259 with Vedesh Singh 88, Khemraj Sumair 33, Sanjay Khan 23, Kevin Ramdeen 23; Maxie De Jonge 4-56, Wahied Edwards 2-39, Richard Ramdeen 2-50.

Young Warriors’ first innings 341-7 declared with Seon Hetmyer 82, Richard Ramdeen 79, Maxie De Jonge 55, Ishwar Singh 44, Wahied Edwards 30, Richard Austin 25; off-spinner Ramesh Munna 2-50, Sanjay Khan 2-59, Vishal Mohabir 2-79.

At Blairmont in the match between Police and Blairmont Community Centre, Police winning the toss and batting first scored 221 with Albert Sinclair 77, Wayne Richards 22, Rocky Hutson 20; leg-spinner Leslie Amsterdam II 3-20, off-spinner Mohamed Yusuf 3-43 and off-spinner Karamdat Bissoondial 2 for 40.

Blairmont Community Centre’s first innings 104 without loss with Ramesh Budhram 74 not out. Karamdat Bissoondial 29 not out.