NATIONAL wicketkeeper/batsman Derwin Christian struck a pugnacious ton, which guided Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) to first innings points in their drawn encounter against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) when the two met in their Georgetown Cricket Association/Carib Beer/Friends of Cricket/Heroes Cup two day first division tournament at the DCC ground yesterday.

Also getting runs with the bat were Paul Wintz who made an even unbeaten half century to support Christian, as DCC declared their first innings close on 363 for 8 in reply to GDF’s 360, with Christian contributing 111 (9×4, 7×6).Batting a second time, GDF reached 155 for 8 off 39.4 overs before declaring their innings close, thanks to Shemroy Barrington’s 64 (9×4, 1×6) and Dillon Heyliger’s 53 (5×6, 3×4)-which was both batsmen second half century of the match, while Totaram Bishun picked up 5 for 68 to end with match figures of 10 for 199 for DCC.
Asked to bat three overs before the scheduled close of play, DCC reached 18 without loss, with Dexter George and Jahron Byron being the not out batsmen on 9 (1×4) and 5 respectively.
Earlier in the day, DCC resumed on 115 for 1 and quickly lost Byron, who was dismissed by Dennis Legay (4 for 68) for 21 after resuming on 16 and Andrew Lyght Jnr. who added 7 to his overnight 72, which was scored in a pugnacious mood late on the first day.
Christian and his skipper Christopher Barnwell, who both played T20 internationals for the West Indies last year, added 74 for the fourth wicket before Randy Lindore (2 for 71) sent back Barnwell for 34 (3×4, 3×6) and Kemal Savory for 01.
Christian found a useful ally in Wintz and together they saw their team take lunch at 286 for 5, with Christian on 99 which was decorated with eight fours and seven sixes and Wintz 11, and when play resumed, Christian dutifully got the lone century of the fixture when he punched Legay for his ninth and final four, before he was dismissed by the same bowler for his final score.
His demise came after he posted 97 for the sixth wicket with Wintz who guided the lower order sensibly to see the home team to first innings points with his half century, which was the fifth of the match at that stage, hitting three fours and one six, while Orlando Sturge was there with him on 13 at the declaration.
When GDF batted a second time, they lost the wicket of Isaiah Brijaddar who was caught off the bowling of Barnwell (1 for 29) without scoring, but Barrington displayed an attacking mode, hitting Andre Stoll for two fours, as GDF raced to 17 for 1 at tea, with his contribution being 13.
After tea, Barrington continued his aggressive attitude against the home team bowling by hitting Barnwell for 4, 4, and 6 in two overs to race to 43, but as he did in the first innings, he gifted his wicket away when he picked out Byron at long off, in his attempt to hit Sturge (2-41) out the ground in that area for his 64.
Heyliger also attacked the bowling with disdain, hitting five sixes and three 4s in his half century which came in rapid time, before he picked out George at long on, falling in similar fashion to Barrington, this time Bishun being the bowler.
This was after the left handed back of the wrist bowler had dismissed Mark Haynes 23 (2×6, 1×4),before he sent back Marcus Watkins (08) and Randy Lindore and Jeremiah Harris both without scoring, before Barrington surprisingly made the declaration with five overs remaining in the day’s play.
When some thought the home team would not have utilised the three overs given to them to bat a second time, Barnwell accepted same using George and Byron as his openers, to which they added 18 before play was called off.