-Everest, GNIC and GYO also take first day honours

THE Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) continued from where they left off last season after humbling the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on the opening day of the 2019 GISE, Star Party Rental/Trophy Stall First Division two-day cricket competition.

The DCC–GDF clash was one of four matches that started yesterday. The Everest Cricket Club, GNIC and GYO were also in control of their games against Police Sports Club, Transport Sports Club and the University of Guyana respectively.

Although Everest surprised Police by taking a first innings lead in their clash, the day belonged to the defending champions. At the DCC ground, the home team were closing in on a victory after 29 wickets fell on the opening day; 19 of which belonged to the visitors.
DCC won the toss and bowled, although Randy Lindore turned back the clock with some scintillating strokes, which included 11 fours and two sixes in his score of 69; his teammates failed to support and the Army men were bundled out for 110 in 26.4 overs as the home team’s left arm spinners led the charge. West Indies U-19 cricketer Ashmead Nedd took 4 for7, while fellow spinner Totaram Bishun supported with 3-22.

DCC top order then lifted them with a whirlwind of strokes. Joshua Persaud and Raymond Perez put together a 110-run opening partnership, with the former hitting eight fours and five sixes in a score of 71, while Perez scored 32 (7x4s).
The explosive Sachin Singh 43 (3x4s, 3x6s) also played a few stokes which helped the home team to 235, before they were bowled out in 39 overs.

Lindore and Leon Andrews took four wickets each for GDF; but their team again fell to the DCC bowling attack and, by the close of play, were struggling on 154-9 in 25 overs, with a lead of 29, with just one wicket in hand.
Kurt Lovell led the attack for the visitors with 53 (4x4s, 5x6s), while D. Waldron added 33 (2x4s, 3x6s).

Medium pacer Carlton Jacques led DCC’s second innings attack with 4-44, while Bishun continued his dominance with 3-23.
At the Police ground, Everest are enjoying a first innings lead of 15 with four wickets in hand. Police won the toss and opted to bat first. Despite a half-century by Kemol Savory 52 (6x4s, 2x6s), the Lawmen were routed for 177 in 41.5 overs. Leg-spinner Amir Khan led the visitors’ attack with 4-43 from nine overs, while off-spinner Richie Looknauth supported with 3-56 from 16.9 overs.

In reply, opener Ronaldo Renee (6x4s and 1×6) scored 52 and middle-order batsman, Bhaskar Yadram, supported with 43 to push Everest to 192-6 in 51 overs.
Eon Rodrigues is leading the Lawmen’s bowling attack with three wickets.

At the GDF ground, GYO are in control of the University of Guyana. UG won the toss and reached 138-9 declared (a player arrived late). Keon Roberts led the attack with 51 (5x4s). Off-spinner Darshan Persaud and left-arm spinner, Trevon France, grabbed three wickets each for GYO.

The Woolford Avenue team replied with a blistering opening partnership of 142 between Christopher Deonarine, who hit nine fours and a six in a top score of 80, and Yudistir Persaud, who added 58 (7x4s, 1×6) which helped to push them to 250-5.
Godfrey Thakurdin, who spun his way to two wickets in two balls, is leading the University team with three scalps.

At the Malteenoes ground, GNIC are looking strong against the Transport Sports Club.
Transport batted first and scored 158 in 56.4 overs, with Akeem Redman hitting 42 (7x4s). Teenager Dwain Dick led the attack for GNIC with 5-45 from 21.4 overs.
GNIC replied with 130-3 with Shawn DeSouza hitting eight fours and two sixes in a top-score of 77 unbeaten runs. He and David Dick (35) have so far added 116 unbeaten runs for the fourth wicket.