By Sean Devers
IN hot conditions at Bourda, defending Champions Berbice, led by their off-spin pair of Ashmini Munisar and Plaffiana Millington, along with a well-played 31 from Katana Mentore, defeated Essequibo by six wickets yesterday in the second round of the Guyana Cricket Board’s(GCB) Women’s 50-over Inter-County cricket.

Only 24-year-old Nefeeza Sabar with an unbeaten 20 from 61 balls offered resistance for the Essequibians before she ran out of partners, after spending an hour and 17 minutes at the crease.

Extras top scored with 27 which included 17 wides as West Indies U-19 Captain Munisar captured 4-7 from eight overs and along with National player Millington (3-15 from 10 overs) conspired to befuddle the Essequibo batters as the team from Guyana’s largest county were dismissed for 84.

Berbice, in reply, reached 87-4 in 19.3 overs as Mentore led the way with 31 from 36 balls after reaching the boundary thrice in her 42-minute innings.

Laurene Williams picked up two wickets for Essequibo who suffered their second loss after losing to Demerara at Everest on Tuesday.

When Berbice commenced their chase of the small target, Realeana Grimmond (12) was lbw to Sabar on the stroke of Lunch which was taken with pre-tournament favourites on 19-1.

After the interval, Marian Samaroo pulled Analesia D’Aguiar for four and together with Mentore who executed some lovely drives, saw the 50 posted in nine overs.

The 42-run stand was broken at 61 when Samaroo (13) was removed by National player Kumarie Persaud who had four wickets against Demerara.

Sheneta Grimmond hit a boundary in her nine runs and put together 18 with Mentore, who pulled West Indies U-19 pacer Cyanna Retemiah for four.

But Williams removed both batters in the space of five runs to leave the score on 84-4.

The two quick wickets prompted celebrations from the Essequibo supporters in the fair size gathering which included National selectors, Peter Persuad and Norwayne Fredericks, who has been present at every Inter-County game so far.

Williams’ quick strikes were too little too late as Munisar’s (5) boundary give Berbice, with five National U-19 and several National senior players in the line-up, an emphatic win.

Earlier, playing at a venue which hosted 30 Tests, including the West Indies’ first victory in 1930, Essequibo won the toss and opted to bat on a track tailor made for batting and a lighting fast outfield.

Navina Narine and Williams provided Essequibo with a solid, if slow, 26 runs opening partnership before Millington removed Narine in the 13th over.

West Indies left-arm fast bowler, Erva Giddings dismissed D’Aguiar (7) at 38-2 before 23-year-old Millington bowled Varuni Pitamber (7) while Williams (8) was bowled by Munisar as two wickets toppled at 41.

Nobody else stayed with Sabar to build any significant partnership as Sabar fought a lone battle.

With the score on 54-7 and with Munisar, the lass from the Canje Community Centre Club, in full flight, it seemed as if Essequibo would not reach 60.

However, Sabar found a useful ally with the intervention of Divine Ross (4) and the pair added 16 in a frustrating eight-wicket stand before Sheneta Grimmond removed Ross at 70-8.

The last two wickets fell in the space of five runs as Munisar returned to trap last batter, Roxanne Hendricks (1), lbw, to end the innings.

Sunday’s clash between Berbice and Demerara at Bourda is a virtual final since the winner will lift the Championship Trophy.

Berbice are expected to successfully defend their title especially since Shakibi Gajnabi is expected to return in time for that encounter.