LEON Andrews led from the front with the ball and helped with the bat, but the Guyana Defence Force were not at full strength on day two of their Georgetown Cricket Association-Noble House Seafoods Second Division two-day cricket competition, which resulted in the home team winning by an innings and 30 runs.

Although the Georgetown Cricket Club had wrested control on Saturday, the opening day, and had a sizable lead after their first innings, GDF could have still held on for a draw, but only nine players were available to bat—when the eighth wicket fell on Sunday afternoon, the army had to concede defeat.

Scores in the game: GDF 91 and 153, GCC 274.

After taking the lead on Saturday due to a half-century from youngster, Mavendra Dindyal (72), the home team continued from their overnight score of 145-3 on Sunday morning. The army had a good session, since apart for a fighting unbeaten 51 from teenager Zachary Jodah (2x4s, 23 singles) and an aggressive last stand by fast bowler Carlos La Rose, the rest of the side succumbed to the off-spin bowling of Andrews.

Andrews, who had taken the wicket of Dindyal on Saturday, took five wickets on Sunday, including overnight batsmen Rivaldo Phillips (28) and Deonarine Seegobin (23).

The army could have restricted the side to a lower score, but La Rose got on top of the bowling as he and Jodah added 59 runs for the last wicket.  The number 11 batsman struck three sixes and two fours in a score of 35, which helped to push GCC to 274.

Andrews finished with 6-96 from 28 overs, while Damian Waldon and Randy Lindore supported with one wicket each.

In GDF’s second innings, Andrews (31) paced his time in the middle with a plethora of twos, but like several of the top order batsmen, he had a start, but did not follow on.

GDF’s middle-order then had a moment of lapse, as four wickets went down in quick succession (62-1 to 63-5); Joshua Jones, though, kept the scoreboard ticking with some aggressive batting.  His 52 included four sixes and one four. Despite his half-century, and 25 runs from Dameon Ross and 20 from Lindore, GDF succumbed at 153-8 just before the scheduled close of play.

Left- arm spinner Stephon Wilson again took three wickets. He proved to be extremely economical with 3-13 from 12 overs.

Darrius Andrews and Bernard Bailey supported with two wickets each.