BERBICE whipped Essequibo by six wickets in round one of the Hand-in-Hand Under-19 Inter-county one-day tournament yesterday at Albion.

Watched by a fair-sided crowd, the visiting side’s batting once again collapsed much to the delight of the home supporters.

The lack of proper cricketing shots, coupled with excellent bowling, brought the Essequibians’ downfall.

Batting first they were restricted to 123 in 42.4 overs. The hosts then reached 124-4 in 24.5 overs.

Four Essequibo batsmen reached double figures with opener Orlando Jailall top-scoring with 37 off 73 balls with two boundaries.

Ameer Singh and M. Ramnarine contributed 16 runs apiece while Jeremiah Scott made 10, in a total batting meltdown.

All the Berbician bowlers contributed with spinners Junior Sinclair and Nigel Deodat claiming two wickets apiece while Kevlon Anderson, Gevon Schultz, Kelvin Umroa, Seon Glasgow and Doorsammy Mahadeo, all had a wicket apiece.

In the run chase, the hosts lost opener Alex Algoo (7), and Glasgow without scoring, but fellow opener Sinclair stood firm at the other end, hitting a composed 58 off 74 balls with four fours and two sixes.

Anderson contributed a 36-ball 28 with four boundaries. Sinclair and Anderson were both removed by Amit Persaud and Ramnarine respectively, but their dismissal did not hurt the hosts much, as Garfield Benjamin (17 not out), took his team home.

The tournament continues tomorrow. (Rajiv Bisnauth)