RIDING on the back of an unbeaten half-century from skipper Christopher Barnwell, hosts Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) started their campaign in this year’s Georgetown Cricket Association/Ansa McAl Carib Beer T20 competition impressively, with an 84-run victory over Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO).Winning the toss and opting to bat first, DCC, who in 2013 won the same tournament that was sponsored by Digicel before seeing Police Sports Club take the first GCA/Carib Beer T20 title last year, posted 188 for 5 from their 20 overs.

Barnwell led the way, hitting eight sixes and five fours in his unbeaten 86 that took him 41 balls to accumulate, receiving support from Kevon Boodie 26 (3×4, 1×6) and Trevon Griffith 24 (2×4, 1×6) while Anthony Ifill was the best bowler for GYO with his one for 23.
Brian Sattaur 14 (2×6) and Griffith added 18 for the first wicket, with Griffith adding an additional 42 for the second wicket with Boodie who, after being dismissed, saw Barnwell and Shurfane Rutherford 13 (1×6, 1×4) posting 53 for the fourth wicket.
In reply, GYO were limited to 104 for 9 with only two batsmen in Ifill who returned with the bat to topscore with 53 (50 balls, 7×4, 2×6) and skipper Surendra Hiralall 10 reaching double figures against the bowling of Andre Stoll (2 for 14), Paul Wintz (2 for 16) and Griffith 2 for 21.
Stoll who was making a return to the game after a lengthy layoff, started the rout by removing John Campayne (0) and Trevon Liverpool (1), while Rutherford (1 for 22) accounted for Abdool Raheim (6) and Ashmead Nedd (1-8) removed Garfield De Rouche (0) to leave GYO on 31 for 4.
Meanwhile, the other first round game which was to be contested at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground between the host team and their neighbours Transport Sports Club was abandoned without a ball being bowled, courtesy of the inclement weather. (Calvin Roberts)