FORMER national all-rounder Christopher Barnwell starred with both bat and ball when the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) First Division 50-over tournament continued last weekend in Georgetown.
The Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) skipper’s five-wicket haul against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) however proved fruitless as the latter registered a two-wicket victory over the Queenstown players at their home venue in a close encounter on Saturday.
Unbothered by that defeat, Barnwell returned the following day to slam a fine 97 against Police at the Eve Leary ground, as DCC triumphed by seven runs in a cliffhanger finish.

Surprisingly electing to bat first against GDF, following early morning showers, which saw the game being reduced to 37 overs, DCC were bowled out for 158 in 31.5 overs.
At one stage, the home team were in dire straits at 104 for nine in the 24th over before a 54-run last wicket stand between Gustavo Hutson (37) and Wavell Allen (nine) took them to their eventual total. Hutson struck three fours and a six.
Earlier, Alphius Bookie, who hit 31 (six fours) and Brandon Jaikaran with 26 (two fours and a six) featured a second partnership of 57 as Nigel Deodat and Kwesi Mickle were the chief destroyers with four for 25 and 26 respectively.

GDF started shakily, losing both openers in the first over to Barnwell who went to claim the first three wickets. However, Garfield Benjamin, who batted at number three, stood tall with a stubborn 68 which contained eight fours.
DCC sensed victory after Barnwell came back to get rid of Benjamin in the 29th over with the score on 126 for seven and with the departure of Zameer Nazeer one run later. An unbeaten eighth wicket stand of 32 between Mickle (12 not out) and Leon Swamy (16 not out) thwarted their efforts as Barnwell

ended with five for 31 from his eight overs.
On Sunday, Barnwell blasted six fours and five massive sixes in his 97 as DCC reached 237 for nine in their allotted 50 overs while opener Jaikaran supported with 31 (four fours). Bowling for Police, Mark Jeffers claimed four for 44 in his 10 overs. Left-arm spinner Anthony Adams conceded a mere 17 runs in his 10-over spell while taking one wicket.

In reply, Police were staring down defeat at 111 for seven in the 22nd over before two rescue acts almost brought them victory. Quentin Sampson, batting at number eight and number nine Shemroy Kendall took the score to 173 in the 31st over before the former departed for 35 which included two fours and two sixes.

Kendall then added a further 57 for the ninth wicket with Bernard Bailey before gifting his wicket to part-time spinner Ricardo Percival, with eight needed for victory, in his lone over, after smashing him for two sixes.
Percival went on to claim the wicket of last man D. Clarke without scoring as DCC triumphed in the tense atmosphere. Kendall’s top score of 72 was laced with three fours and four sixes. Johnathan Vanlange was DCC’s best bowler with four for 60 from 10 overs. (Frederick Halley)