– Harper stars as Demerara beat Essequibo

DESPITE a spirited late order rally, Essequibo sank to their second defeat of the GCB Women’s Senior Inter-County T20 cricket tournament by 90 runs at the hands of Demerara.

The second-round encounter took place at the Malteenoes ground.

Put in to bat on another gorgeous day for cricket, Demerara reached 162-4 before dismissing Essequibo for 72 in 12.2 after they were 25-8 at one stage.

Roshana Harper took the catch of the tournament when she held a stupendous effort; running in from long-leg and diving full length to dismiss Lauren Williams (0) off West Indies pacer Cherry Ann Fraser.

With this, Essequibo were off to a horror start in their chase without a run on the board; Fraser would later end with 4-6 and take the Player of the Match award.

After Williams’ demise, none of the first six batters reached double figures on a good pitch as Essequibo slumped to 25-8.

Nikesha Narine launched a brutal counter-attack as she hit three fours and the only six in the innings off leg-spinner Nyia Latchman, in her 22-ball 31 before she was last out to left-arm spinner Kaysia Schultz.

Narine took advance of the strange introduction of Rushell Roberts who had 0-28 in two overs after delivering six ‘two bounce’ no balls.

Earlier, Demerara got a solid start from West Indies batter Mandy Mangru, who played in a refreshingly positive fashion and 18-year-old QC Student Naiomi Barkoye.

The pair put together 47 for the first wicket with Mangru stroking a four and a six in 23 ball 33 before she was bowled by Lauren Williams.

Tilleya Madramootoo joined her Malteenoes team Barkoye and carried the score to 107 on their home ground before Williams removed Madramootoo for an attractive 24 which included a six.

When set for a big score, Barkoye fell to the impressive Yonette Welcome at 123-3 after hitting a run-a-ball 36 with four well-played boundaries.

Fraser, who bats left-handed, followed her unbeaten 68 in the 50 overs format with some clinical hitting before she was bowled by Williams in the final over; ending an entertaining 35 from 22 balls decorated with four fours and three sixes.

Shultz (13) and Cianna Barkoye (1) were unbeaten when the 20 overs expired as Williams finished with 3-32.

Defending Champions Berbice and unbeaten Demerara will face-off today for the T20 Title at Malteenoes from 1:30pm.