NATIONAL middle-order batsman Steven Jacobs struck a belligerent century to steer Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) to a commanding innings and 135 runs victory over Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC), when action in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)-organised Carib Beer/Friends of Cricket/ Heroes Cup first division competition resumed last weekend. However, even as Jacobs was fortunate to record his ton, four other batsmen, namely Troy Gonsalves, Rajendra Chandrika, Derwin Christian and Christopher Barnwell, missed out on a century, while left-arm spinner Totaram Bishun continues to mesmerise batsmen with a 10-wicket haul.
At the MSC ground on Thomas Lands, the home team engaged GNIC and having asked their opponents to bat first, restricted them to 82 for 9, with Shawn De Souza 21 and Collis Butts who made 17 being their leading batsmen.
Jacobs took 4 for 4 while Seon Daniels and Dion Ferrier took two wickets each for 26 and 32 runs respectively for MSC, who scored 315 for 9 in reply, with Jacobs hitting 13 fours and 10 sixes in his 152.
He got support from Imran Hassan 39 (4×4, 2×6), Ferrier 27 (3×4) and Kwame Crosse 26 (2×4) against the bowling of Leroy Bristol (4 for 66) and Orlando Fraser who took 3 for 112 for GNIC, who were restricted to 98 for 9 in their second innings.
Marz Nicholson top-scored with 28 (4×4, 1×6), De Souza made 22 (4×4) and Ranole Bourne 22, but the bowling of Ferrier who took 4 for 27 and Kellon Carmichael 2 for 25 were just enough to complement Jacobs’ ton and see their team home.
At the Everest Cricket Club (ECC) ground, a high-scoring draw was the order of the day when the home team engaged Demerara Cricket Club (DCC).
Batting first, ECC scored 320 before being dismissed, with Gonsalves missing out on his ton by one run, top-scoring with 99 that included 13 fours and two sixes, while Chandrika struck the same number of fours in his 95.
Christopher Surat 29 (4×4) and Rajiv Ivan 19 (2×4) offered support to the top duo against Bishun who took 7 for 104 and Trevor Simpson 2 for 20 for DCC, who declared their first innings closed after reaching 350 for 8.
Christian curbed his usual pugnacious attitude to lead the way with 93 that was laced with six sixes and the same number of fours, while Barnwell struck seven fours and one six in his 91.
They got support from debutant Kemal Savory who struck four fours in his 59, Paul Wintz 46 (5×4) and Andre Stoll an unbeaten 31 that included three sixes and two fours.
Gonsalves returned to snare 5 for 95 for ECC, who scored 115 for 4 in their second innings, thanks to Dayanand Roopnarine’s unbeaten 60 (9×4), Christ Pattadin 27 (4×4) and Ivan 15 (2×4), while Bishun took 3 for 67 to end with match figures of 10 for 171 for DCC, who were forced to settle for first innings points.