Hubbard bowls Queenstown U19 to easy opening victory

ESSEQUIBO U17 medium pacer Romal Hubbard dominated Reliance Hustlers Youths to hand Queenstown U19 an easy win in their opener of the Devon Ramnauth Region Two Youth Cricket League on Saturday afternoon at the Imam Bacchus ground. Some three games were expected to bowl off the much anticipated T20 competition, but rain postponed the other two. Queenstown won the toss and elected to bowl, which worked in their favour as Reliance buckled early.
Howard, who swung the ball well, did the damage from the bottom end. The 16-year-old opening bowler was on a hat trick early after picking up two consecutive wickets in his first over. In total, it took only 3.1 overs for him to pick up 6-14. Support came from fellow medium pacer Jason Holder, who finished with 3-13 from four overs. Of the Reliance batsmen, only the experienced Ushardeva Balgobin reached double figured. His 12 runs came from 14 balls.

The side eventually succumbed for 44 in 12.1 overs. In their turn in the middle, Queenstown openers Ameer Singh and Azim Mohammed led their side to a 10-wicket win in 5.4 overs. Singh struck 18 from 22 balls, while Mohammed finished with 16 from 12 balls. According to organiser and former national youth player Ramnauth, the two rained-out first round games will be replayed at the next best available date. He told Chronicle Sport that as an additional incentive, he decided to include finances for outstanding performance. Players who score 50 plus runs or take five wickets will receive $5000 each, while those who score 100 plus will collect $10,000.
Hat-trick performances will also result in $5000 cash prizes. The competition, which is expected to run for one month, is scheduled to continue next Saturday with second round matches.