LED by a man-of-the-match performance from Mathew Pottoya, Berbice mauled Essequibo by 10 wickets in the opening round of the GCB Under-17 Inter-County Super50 Tournament at the Port Mourant ground, in Corentyne, Berbice yesterday.

Essequibo, who arrived at the venue without their uniform, surprisingly opted to bat when the game began late and were blown away for 59 in 34.3 overs.

Pottoya led the way with 4-7 off nine overs while Salim Khan (2-8) and Sanjay Algoo (2-9) also bowled for Berbice who galloped to 60 without loss in just 7.5 overs.

National Under-17 wicketkeeper batsman, Kevin Kisten, scored an entertaining 36 off just 26 balls while Rampersaud Ramnauth made 17 off 21 balls to make light work of a small target.

Earlier, Rajendra Ramballi with 16 from 49 balls and Harold De Matas with 11 from 69 balls gave Essequibo a slow but solid foundation before Ramballi was run out in the 16th over at 31-1.
This triggered a colossal collapse as 10 wickets tumbled for 28 runs despite extras contributing 12.

The tournament will continue today with Berbice playing the GCB Select XI at Port Mourant from 09:30 hours. (Sean Devers)