By Elroy Stephney

THE third round of the Essequibo T20 Big Bash League was played on Sunday at various venues along the Essequibo Coast.

There were victories for Rising Star, Reliance Hustlers, Reliance SC, Lima United, Devonshire Castle, Spartan, Cotton Field Strikers, NOC, Affiance #1, Charity SC, Queenstown SC and United Warriors.

At the Reliance ground, the hosts hammered Sparwin by 91 runs. After winning the toss and batting, Reliance Hustlers enjoyed a run-fest with savage half-centuries from Mark Austin 95 (11×4, 5×6) and Narendra Mandolall 64 not-out (5×4, 6×6).

 Anthony Ifill was also among the runs with 45 (4×6, 2×6) to charge the Hustlers to 236-5 from their 20 overs. Sparwin, in reply, crumbled and reached 145-8 when the overs expired. Only Eshwar Lall 33 (5×4) entertained briefly. Mandolall returned with the ball to capture 3-18 from 4 miserly overs.

In the second game at the same venue, Reliance SC thumped Scheme Gunners by a massive 197 runs. Reliance SC were led by half-centuries from Satish Persaud 65 (11×4) and Rondell Boyal 59 (7×4, 3×6) along with 43 (6×4, 2×6) from Rovin Doodnauth to reach 262-5 from their 20 overs.

Gunners never got firing and were eventually all-out for 65 in 14 overs. Basil Persaud 4-9 (4) and Dillon Blackman 4-14 (3) were the main destroyers.

At Imam Bacchus ground in Affiance, Bacchus Bulls galloped to 257-6 from their 20 overs against Rebels XI. This was due mainly to a superb century from former national Under-19 batsman Nathan Persaud whose 105 contained 15 fours and 3 sixes..

Rebels were never a threat as they collapsed to 93 all-out in 17 overs. Another century, this time by national wicketkeeper-batsman Kemol Savory, who steered Rising Star to victory against Devonshire Castle at the Pomona ground.

Savory’s unbeaten 108 (16×4, 4×6) helped the Stars to reach 192-6 from their 20 overs. In reply, Devonshire Castle were restricted to 160-8 from their allotted overs to lose by 32 runs.

Yet another century was recorded as Affiance #1 played against Gunners at home and posted 174-4 with Yogesh Singh smashing 103 (14×4, 4×4).

They then reduced Gunners to 125-7 despite a fluent half-century from Grayson Paul to win by 71 runs. At the Charity ground, the hosts gained a fighting 2-wicket victory against Golden Fleece, who recorded 114 all-out to which Charity SC reached 116-8 in 19 overs.

At Walton Hall, the hosts were shot out for a paltry 81 in 13 overs against Cotton Field Strikers, who then raced to 83-2 in just 10 overs for an 8-wicket win. In another low-scoring match, Spartan tamed the Jaguars who could score only 115 all-out.

Spartan replied with 117-7 in 19 overs for a 3-wicket win. Meanwhile NOC also recorded victory against Jaguar Over-40 who made 115 all-out to which NOC replied with 116-2 in 13 overs. United Warriors fought gallantly to defeat Aurora Knight Riders who made 141-6 from their 20 overs.

The Warriors then reached 144-8 in 19 overs for a 2-wicket victory. Queenstown SC gained a 2-wicket win against Young Achievers who made 146 all-out. Queenstown responded with 145-8 from 18 overs. Lima United were also in winners’ row but the scores were not available.

The round-robin League continues on Sunday with various matches across the Region.