SHELDON Charles and Lance Roberts performed with bat and ball to lead the Essequibo Eagles to a 54-run victory over Golden Fleece Vikings when their first-round clash of the Devon Ramnauth Region Two Youth Cricket League was held on Tuesday at the Imam Bacchus ground. The game was postponed from last Saturday because of rain. The Eagles won the toss and opted to bat with former U-17 captain Charles leading the attack from the top. He paced his innings well in the T20 clash and ended with 56 runs. Roberts, batting at three, supported with 20, which helped to lift Eagles to 125-6. R. Ragubir finished with three scalps for Golden Fleece, who struggled in the middle. It was Ragubir who gave them a start. He and Rohan Persaud attempted to bat themselves in, but the Eagles’ bowling proved too penetrative. Ragubir lost his wicket for 18 and his opening partner was dismissed for 15 which unhinged the floodgates as Eagles captain Roberts proved destructive with his medium pace.

Roberts, who bowled Persaud, was the sixth bowler used in the innings. His line and length proved effective as he decimated the middle and lower order to finish with six wickets for seven runs. This restricted the Vikings to 71 all out.. The performance also earned him the man-of-the-match award. Tuesday’s game was the second in the competition. Last Saturday, Queenstown U-19 defeated Reliance Hustlers Youths. In that clash Essequibo U-17 medium pacer Romal Hubbard picked up 6-14 to help his team to a 10-wicket victory. As an added incentive in the league, players who score 50 plus runs or take five wickets will receive $5 000 each, while those who score 100 plus will collect $10 000. Hat-trick performances will also result in $5 000 cash prizes.