-Harper bemoans unavailability of grounds
FOLLOWING the successful hosting of the Haier Cup sponsored limited overs second division competition, the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) yesterday launched its two- day competition for  second division teams at the Malteenoes Sports Club pavilion.
President of the GCA and former national all rounder Roger Harper bemoaned the unavailability of cricket grounds, which he said has forced his entity to cancel three of their six first round matches for the said tournament which is being sponsored in full by Noble House Seafoods to the tune of G$1m.
“First of all, let me express my gratitude to the management and staff of Noble House Seafoods for readily agreeing to come on board with the GCA and sponsor this competition in full, as they had no hesitation to come on board with us when we approached them.
To my mind, the bedrock of cricket development is the longer version of the game and with the generosity of Noble House Seafoods who has been behind the scenes as a silent sponsor of sports before, the GCA is able to bring two day cricket to the various clubs under its stewardship,” stated Harper.
He added; “It is saddening to see that cricket grounds are becoming unavailable for the sport and that is posing a serious challenge to us. Back in the days, once cricket competitions are being played, grounds were available but today we have cricket grounds being used for non-cricketing purposes.
We always talk about taking our cricket back to where it was, but how can that be achieved if we don’t have the grounds to play the matches that are being scheduled to play and that’s something we need to eradicate as quickly as possible.”
Harper outlined the fact that this tournament is following hot on the heels of  the GCA’s limited overs competition, hence the sponsor need not worry about mediocre cricket, as all the teams will be competitive, taking into consideration the response shown to the Haier Cup competition.
“This competition plays an integral part in the GCA’s calendar of activities for 2010, as it will go a long way towards giving our younger players the exposure and competition they need in the longer version of the game.
It will also be critical for them to showcase their talent, since a lot of emphasis has been placed on the shorter version of the game, such as 20/20 and even 50 overs cricket, but I say again, the bedrock of cricket is the longer version.”
Personnel manager of Noble House Seafoods Pierce Corlette expressed his company’s delight at being associated with the GCA in this venture while stating that his general manager was an ardent sports fan who loved all sports, especially cricket.
Chairman of the GCA’s competitions committee Shaun Massiah outlined the structure of the competition which will see 12 teams battling for a first prize that is tipped to be over $100,000 on a league format in two zones, with the two top teams in each zone clashing n the final four.
Apart from the points won during the match, namely first innings as well as outright victory points, bonus points will be rewarded for batting and bowling performances.
In this regard, a team can earn up to a maximum of five batting points, earning the first after they reach 125 and a point each for every 25 runs scored therein after, while they can earn five bowling points for every 10 wickets taken in a match.
The 12 teams who will be battling for supremacy are Vikings, Ghandi, GNIC, GCC, Third Class and Transport (zone A) and Malteenoes, GDF, University of Guyana (UG), Police, DCC and Everest (zone B), with Vikings and GYO clashing at GYO and GNIC and GCC meeting at GNIC while Police and UG will do battle at UG tomorrow and Sunday from 10:30h each day