The best play came from the East! The victorious Corentyne District pose with their trophies and acting President of the GCB Bissoondial Singh after they won the schools’ U-15 cricket final. (Sonell Nelson photo)

Corentyne, batting first, posted an imposing 196-6 from the revised 30-overs with the resilient Veerapen Permaul finishing with an unbeaten 87.

In reply the Essequibo Islanders were comfortably out manoeuvered as they only managed 83 with Zameer Zaman scoring a face saving 30.

Left- arm spinner Gudakesh Motie was the chief destroyer of the Essequibians when he bowled a masterful spell of 4-15 from 4 overs in scorching heat on the slow turning pitch at the stadium.

Earlier, number three batsman Permaul came in at the loss of an early wicket and featured in two sizeable partnerships with Karamchand Mohabali who made 38 (5×4) and Merron Williams 20 (1×4). However, the more watchful and sometimes aggressive Permaul prevailed to the end.

He plundered seven fours and one six in his innings of 87 as the Essequibo Islands’ bowlers toiled.

Ceenarine Oudit, on the other hand, was the pick of the bowlers with 2-17 from two overs. Moin Khan Ahmad Khan and Zaman each picked up a wicket apiece.

In Essequibo’s turn at the crease, the Corentyne bowlers made early inroads with Jamal Jarvis and Loydel Lewis clipping two early wickets.

Careless running between the wickets also resulted in the Essequibians meagre total as four of their batsmen went by that route until Motie came into the attack to bundle out Essequibo in 19.1 overs.

Zaman returned with the bat to top score with 30 (4×4) and was supported by Tulsiram Preamnauth who made 14 — the next highest score for the Essequibians.