GCA Raymond Panday Memorial Competition…
…DCC lead by 112 runs with 2 wickets in hand
A SOLID all-round performance from Shafeek Ishmael helped place Transport Sports Club (TSC) in a commanding position over their hosts Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) at the end of the first day of their Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)-organised Cummings Electrical/P&P Insurance-sponsored Raymond Panday two-day second division final yesterday.

Winning the toss and asking their hosts to take first strike, TSC bowled them out for 123 from 37.3 overs, with Gladwin Brandis 22 (2×4), Jermaine Horatio 21 (4×4),skipper Linden Lyght 21 (1×4) and Matthew Marques 18 (1×6) being the principal scorers.

Both Ishmael and Azim Azeez took three wickets each for 13 and 26 runs respectively for TSC, who reached 235-8 from 51 overs, with Ishmael returning with the bat to hit a pugnacious 88 which was decorated with eight fours and one maximum. He received support from Marc Nichols who made 51 (7×4, 2×6) and skipper Shawn Massiah who hit a robust 47 (4×4, 2×6).

Edward Burnett, who had struck his first delivery for a maximum over long-on off Azeez in DCC’s innings, has so far taken 2-16, along with Kevin George (2-26), who knocked backed the off stump of Ishmael five minutes before the close of play.

Marques and Lyght also took two wickets for the Queenstown-based Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Hand-in-Hand second division champions, for 36 and 63 runs respectively, as their club have been placed behind the eight ball, seeing that the opposition have a 112-run lead with two wickets in hand.

Prior to the start of the match, both teams were introduced to the sponsors, with former GCA president Bish Panday whose brother, the late Raymond Panday was an ardent cricket fan, representing P&P Insurance and Chief Engineer Mr Barry for Cummings Electrical.

President of the GCA, Alfred Mentore, called on both teams to play positive cricket and at the same time took a minute’s silence to the memory of those who lost their lives in the earthquake which shook Haiti a few days ago, while Panday urged them to make some contribution, however small it may be, to the worthy cause.

Today is the final day of the replayed final, with play scheduled to commence at 10:30 h weather permitting. The TSC team will certainly be looking to press for an outright victory, even though the first innings points they have gained yesterday is enough to guarantee them sole ownership of the trophy.