By Michelangelo Jacobus

THE Select U-17 team continued their good showing so far in the Hand-in-Hand (HIH) U-19 3-day Inter-County tournament when round two began yesterday at the GCC ground, Bourda.

They put themselves in a strong position thanks to left-arm leg-spinner Chandrapaul Ramraj’s five for 34 which helped restrict Demerara to 169 despite Robin Williams’ half-century. At stumps they were on 17 for the loss of one wicket trailing by 152 runs.

Under overcast conditions, the U-17s won the toss and sent Demerara in to bat. The latter received a solid start from their openers with the belligerent Sachin Singh making 23 before he became Ramraj’s first victim. However, his partner Robin Williams held his end and went on to stroke 54 (107 deliveries) which included four boundaries and a maximum before he was dismissed by Matthew Nandu.

None of the other Demerara batsmen managed to string together partnerships despite getting starts. Round one hero with the ball, Joel Spooner, managed 27 while Pradesh Balkissoon made 21 to help Demerara to a respectable total.

Ramraj was well supported by Nandu; the former cleaned up Demerara’s tail-end and ended with figures of 5 for 34 from 15 overs (four maidens) while Nandu snared 3 for 49 from 19 overs (four maidens). Niran Bissu and Andre Seepersaud took a wicket apiece.

Taking strike, Select U-17 lost opener Rampertaub Ramnauth early for just one run. However Zeynul Ramsammy played some attractive shots to end the day unbeaten on 10 while Nandu was on six. The lone wicket was taken by Demerara’s Dequan Bamfield.