– G/town beat West Demerara by 34 runs

LOWER Corentyne managed to defend a target of 133, to beat East Coast Demerara (ECD) by three runs in the latest round of the GCB/CGI Jaguars 50-over league, yesterday at the Enmore ground.

The visitors’ professionalism and efficiency suffocated a downcast East Coast Demerara team in limiting them to 130 all out in 44.3 overs.

A strong Lower Corentyne bowling unit lived up to their potential, with Raun Johnson (2-9), Man-of-the-Match Jonathan Foo (2-6), Kelvin Umroa (2-13), and Veerasammy Permaul (2-31), contributed two wickets apiece, in a total bowling effort. Kassim Khan (1-26), was the other wicket-taken bowler.

Earlier, having been put in to bat on a slow surface, Lower Corentyne got off to a sluggish start and ultimately were bowled out for 132 in 44.4 overs.

Medium- pacers Javier Spenser and Bhaskar Yadram claimed three wickets each, while leg-spinner Amir Khan again was tormenting, in adding three more wickets to his impressive tournament so far.

While four batsmen managed to get a start, none could get past 25 as the hosts exerted almost complete control, over a line-up that lacked the inspirational spark to put the opposition under pressure.

Foo was the top scorer with 24, while Jason Sinclair (23), Junior Sinclair (19), and Permaul (19), were the other principal scorers.

However, none managed to prolong for any sustained period with Spencer and Khan doing the bulk of the damage to the visitors batting line-up early on, leaving them 78-5.

The decision by East Coast to bowl first, looked a sensible one given the conditions, and their bowlers responded perfectly. Spenser finished with figures of 3-22, Yadram (3-18), while Khan ended with 3-28. Chandrapaul was the other successful bowler, with 1-17.

In a see-saw contest, the run chase was even inferior, with the hosts batsmen squandered a promising position at the half way stage of the game.

Bhaskar Yadram struck 30, Kamesh Yadram 15, Ramnarine Chatura 16, and an unbeaten 15 from injured Rajendra Chandrika, were the only ones to show some resistance against the visitors attack.

The East Coast batting unit failed to build the sort of confidence and lost wickets on a regular basis.

Meanwhile, Georgetown whipped West Demerara by 34 runs. Batting first, the city team piled up 278-7 in 49 overs. Christopher Barnwell and Leon Johnson continued their rich form with 84 and 76 respectively. Robin Bacchus and Raymond Perez contributed 38 and 20 to the total. Romario Shepherd and Richie Looknauth claimed three wickets apiece.

In reply, West Demerara reached 246-9. Shepherd hit a composed 65.

The competition continues tomorrow.