‘A’ Division get past FAPC in thrilling encounter
… action continues today

DESPITE a belligerent half-century from Richard Leacock, ‘A’ Division breathed a sigh of relief and crossed the first hurdle in this year’s Guyana Police Force/ Commissioner of Police (COP) Inter-division cricket competition, with a 21-run victory over Felix Austin Police College (FAPC) yesterday afternoon.

Playing at the Police Sports Club ground Eve Leary in the C. Persaud Dental Clinic and Laboratory-sponsored event, ‘A’ Division, who for the past two years were ousted in the first round by Headquarters, won the toss and opted to bat first in hazy conditions.
That backfired on them as they lost Rawle Browne without scoring at 1 for 1, before Faizal Mohammed (13) and skipper Jason Heyliger 32 (4×4) added 48 for the second wicket before they were both dismissed within 10 runs of each other, to leave ‘A’ Division on 59 for 3.
It became 75 for 4, when Ganesh Deokarran (4) was dismissed but some lusty hitting from Kevin Leitch who made an unbeaten 48 that included four fours and two sixes and Terrence Withrite 37 (3×4, 2×6) piloted their team to their final score of 177 for 6 off their 20 overs, as the duo added 86 for the fourth wicket.
Rayon Singh took 2 for 19 for FAPC, who, in their reply, saw Leacock and skipper Jason McAlmont take the attack to their more illustrious opponents, much to the delight of the very vocal and appreciative crowd.
They added 83 for the second wicket before the introduction of Deon Parris (2 for 19) saw the demise of McAlmont who lost his middle stump, but not before he partnered Leacock to a well-deserved half-century that included three sixes and two fours, with two of his sixes coming off the bowling of Leitch and the other off Heyliger.
The free scoring for the FAPC lineup ceased at the demise of McAlmont, while Leacock was later run-out in a mix-up with one of his teammates, five runs after posting his half=century, following which ‘A’ Division wrapped up proceedings with Withrite claiming 2 for 28 to support Parris.
Prior to yesterday’s exciting matchup, ‘F’ Division advanced one more round in the tournament without bowling a ball, after President’s Guards failed to turn up for their engagement. The action will continue today with four more matches being played at the PSC and Guyana Defence Force grounds.
At GDF, ‘G’ Division and ‘D’ Division will do battle from 09:30hrs, with ‘C’ Division opposing ‘E’ Division in the second encounter from 14:00hrs and at PSC from 09:30hrs Headquarters will take on ‘B’ Division, even as Officers and Tactical Services Unit (TSU) meet in the second fixture from 14:00hrs.
The next phase of the competition will be contested by the winning teams tomorrow at the Police Sports Club Ground with the final and third-place playoffs set for Saturday also at Eve Leary where the presentation of prizes will be done as well.

(By Calvin Roberts)