CAMILLE’S Institute and Covent Garden Secondary registered victories to book their place in the final of the East Bank Demerara Zone of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL), sponsored by Banks DIH Ltd, Coco Cola, Rainforest Waters and Digicel. At Thirst Park, Camille’s Institute batted first and scored 197 all out in just 24 overs as Andsuegay Rodrigues top-scored with a well-played 69.
He was well supported by former national Under-15 all-rounder Bhognarine Singh who scored 39 and D. Fernandes 30. Bowling for Diamond Secondary, Jante Thomas returned impressive figures of 4-34.
Diamond Secondary, in reply, fell short by 30 runs as they were dismissed for 167 in 24.1 overs. S. Hassan made 27, but it was M. Araun with a shot-filled 65, that gave Diamond Secondary great hope of reaching the target. However, such was curtailed by some intelligent and economical bowling of the Camille’s Institute. Bhognarine Singh and N. Evelyn returned figures of 4-26 and 4-18 respectively.
In the second semifinal of the East Bank Zone, Covent Garden Secondary prevailed against Friendship Secondary by 53 runs. Batting first, Covent Garden Secondary amassed 202 all out in 27 overs as Sagar Hetheramani stroked 48, Anthony Antonio hit 37 and Scott Singh 22. Bowling for Friendship, Orlando Ghisiawan took 4 wickets while Shem Zaman had 2 wickets.
In reply, Friendship Secondary were limited to 149 all out. Orlando Ghisiawan’s (top score of 29) and Shem Zaman (24) were the only batters to offer any real resistance. Bowling for Covent Garden Secondary, Scott Singh had 4 wickets, K. Kaisie 3 wickets and Anthony Antonio had 2 scalps.
Meanwhile, in the North Georgetown Zone, St Stanislaus College defeated Brickdam Secondary by a massive 101 runs. Batting first, St Stanislaus College reached 156-7 in 27 overs, due to some sensible batting from Kennard Moonsammy 48 and Joshua Bankay 40. Bowling for Brickdam Secondary Kempton David grabbed 3-20.
Brickdam Secondary, in reply, were blown away for 51 in 19.1 overs as Moonsammy returned with the ball to snatch 3-9, as Joshua Bankay and Travis Thomas added to the misery of Brickdam Secondary by grabbing 3-8 and 3-7 respectively.
At Everest, Bishops’ High School brushed aside The Business School by five wickets. After being inserted to bat by Bishops’ High, the Business School were dismissed for a paltry 82 in 18 overs, as David Sears had terrific figures of 6-15 off five tidy overs. Troy Persaud supported with 2-13.
In reply, Bishops’ High School overcame a shaky start to complete a five-wicket victory thanks to 34 not out from a level-headed Sachin Ramroop. A. Singh and D. Rhonohan had two wickets each.
The final game of the first round of matches in the North Georgetown Zone was played between Christ Church Secondary and St Mary’s High, where Christ Church Secondary got the better of St Mary’s by 58 runs. St Mary’s won the toss and chose to bowl first. However, Christ Church Secondary managed to get to a respectable 174 all out in 25 overs as Alphius Bookie hit 54 and Aaron Beharry struck an even fifty. Bowling for St Mary’s, Enos Brathwaite returned excellent figures of 6-34.
In reply, St Mary’s batsmen folded for 116 in just 19 overs, as Aaron Beharry returned with the ball to bag 4-15. Junior Phillips had 3-28 with Alphius Bookie also completing a good all-round performance with 2-18.
Matches continue today. Marian Academy will battle Queen’s College at Everest while St Joseph High will play Tutorial High School at Thirst Park. East Ruimveldt Secondary will face North Ruimveldt Secondary at GNIC ground.