…Rampertab Ramnauth led the way with an unbeaten 93

On a good track and in sweltering heat yesterday, 4R Lions, led by an unbeaten 93 from Rampertab Ramnauth, beat GCC by six wickets at Bourda in the inaugural Ramchand Auto Spares, Survival Group of Companies and Trophy Stall 50 overs cricket tournament.

GCC, with seven players who played in the last Regional U-19 Tournament, were bowled out for 171 in 43.5.

West Indies U-19 batter Mavindra Dindyal hit seven fours and a six in his 34-ball 40 and shared in a 68-run stand with Revaldo Phillips, who reached the boundary five times in his 29 from 30 balls.

However, only Aryan Persaud, whose unbeaten 29 lasted 66 balls and included two fours, reached double figures for the home team.

Romeo Deonarine, the leading run-scorer in the tournament, captured 3-17 while Sanjay Algoo 3-53 and Salim Khan 2-35 were also among the wickets for 4R Lions who roared 174-4 in 36.3 overs.

The 17-year-old Berbice and Guyana U-19 left-hander Rampertab Ramnauth found the boundary six times and cleared it once in his masterful unbeaten 93 and shared in an 88-run opening stand with his sibling, 16-year-old National U-17 batter Rampersaud Ramnauth, who’s carefully constructed 34 from 54 balls included six fours.

After the younger Rampersaud fell to one of the better off-spinners in the tournament, Krsna Singh, Rampertab, strong off his legs and through the covers, reached his 50 from 59 balls with four fours.

Vishal Wilkinson (8) and Sachin Balgobin (13) were both removed by Dindyal before Dindyal (who finished with 3-33) got rid of Rashad Gafur (2) but his exploits on the parched and lightning-fast outfield were too little too late.

The elegant Rampertab seemed to lose concentration in the ’70s and tried to hit the ball too hard and at times lost his ‘shape’ as he looked for boundaries.

Earlier, GCC slipped to 35-3 with Marlon Ramsurace (5), Shaahid Verira (12) and Zachary Jodah (5) falling in quick succession as Khan struck twice.

Dindyal, arguably the best U-19 batter in Guyana, has been inconsistent in recent times and yesterday when well set for a big score he hit a return catch to Algoo at 98-4 in the 16^th over.

The 100 was posted in the 17^th over before Phillips edged Deonarine to Wilkinson for him to take the first of four catches behind the stumps at 100-5.

A livid Phillips threw his bat on the ground in disgust with the decision by the impressive 16-year-old Umpire Stephon Sankar, the youngest umpire in Guyana.

Jodha was caught behind off Khan, while Thaddeus Lovell (4) and Josh Charles (1) were removed by the tournament MVP, Deonarain.

Persaud’s unbeaten 29 and Singh (9) give GCC’s total some respectability but in the end, it was not enough.

Deonarain scored the most runs while Transport’s Riyad Latif had the most wickets and they both received trophies and cash incentives for their achievements.

MVP Deonarain won a trip for two to Kaieteur Fall from Survival Group of companies while trophies were presented to the winners and runners-up