By Rajiv Bisnauth

GEORGETOWN emerged winners of the 2019 Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Inter-association Under-19 cricket tournament, after recording a 162-run victory over East Bank Demerara in the final round yesterday at the Wales Community Centre ground.
It was a complete performance from the City team as they first managed a first-innings total of 207 all out. after they were asked to bat first. Thereafter their bowlers, led by Dequan Bamfield (4-20), put the final touches for the commanding victory.

Alphius Bookie top-scored for Georgetown with 59 while Joel Spooner contributed an even 50, and Nkosi Beaton 24. Bowling for East Bank, off-spinner Aaron Beharry and Jamal Michael collected 3-21 and 24 runs respectively. Shadrock Baicon took 2-24.
The run chase saw the East Bank batsmen fold for just 45 in 24 overs. Only Mavindra Dindyal with 15 managed a double figure. Spinners Daniel Mootoo and Joel Spooner supported Bamfield with figures of 2-7 and 2-0 respectively.

Meanwhile, a combination of good bowling by the three-pronged East Coast Demerara spin-attack and some injudicious shot-making by the West Demerara batsmen saw the hosts whip their opponents by six wickets at the Lusignan Community Centre ground.

On a wicket which offered some spin, off-spinner Andrew Samaroo, the former national Under-17 player, was the pick of the spinners, claiming 4-25. His counterparts, leg-spinner Hemnauth Dindyal had 3-21 and off-spinner Pradesh Ballkishun 2-15. Robin Williams, who is known for his wicket-keeping ability, took 1-2, with his medium pace.

Asked to bat first, the visiting side were hardly emphatic with the bat, with four batsmen managing double figures. They were eventually bowled out for 120 in 43.5 overs with Ryan Seecharan top-scoring with 21. Satash Basdeo made 15 while Saieed Persaud and Joshua Rahaman contributed 13 runs apiece in a batting effort clearly lacking the ability to build partnerships.

The run chase was relatively easy, with the hosts reaching 124-4 in just 28.2 overs. Ballkishun top-scored with an attractive 52 while Samaroo made 33. Daniel Roberts collected 2-21.

Further, Chronicle Sport was informed that the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-county tournament is scheduled to commence on Tuesday. An official sponsor for the tournament is yet to be decided.