Watched by a fair size gathering comprising mainly relatives of the players, Berbice reclaimed their 50-over U-19 title under lights on Thursday Evening at the LBI ground when their final round match against Demerara was washed out in the 15^th over.

In windy conditions at the East Coast Demerara venue, Berbice were 67-5 replying to the 133 all out in 22.1 overs made by the defending Champions when a hard shower ended the contest with Berbice getting two points for the abandoned match.

This took the team from the Ancient County to 11.4 points, .4 of a point ahead of the Select X1, who ended as runners-up with wins over Demerara and Essequibo. Demerara finished third with 8.2, while Essequibo ended last with 1.8 points.

Initially set for the Police ground at Eve Leary, unplayable conditions caused by morning rain in the city resulted in the match being switched to LBI. The game was reduced to 30 overs and played under lights.

Demerara won the toss and had a pugnacious 53-run opening partnership in just 5.4 overs between Shiloh Adams, who hit six fours and Romeo Deonarain, who stroked a similar number of boundaries in his 28.

After Shiloh fell to Daniel Joseph, Sachin Balgobin (6) was removed by Salim Khan at 61-2, Deonarain was bowled by Matthew Pottaya (63-3), and when Pottaya had Shamar Apple (8), Demerara had slipped to 76-4 in 10 overs.

Jaden Dowlin scored a well-calculated 20 and along with Nicolas Shiopersaud (6), staged a mini-recovery by taking Demerara to 96 before Kumar Deopersaud bowled Shiopersaud.

Pottaya continued his good form in the competition when he got rid of the solid Dowlin at 99-6.

National U-19 Captain Jonathon Van Lange smashed two fours and six in a cameo 28 before he was last out when he missed one from Deopersaud and was neatly stumped by Kevin Kirsten as the home team lost their last five wickets for 36 runs.

Deopersaud (3-8), Pottaya (2-21) and Afraz Budhoo (2-22) were the main wicket-takers

Khan, who had four-wicket hauls against Essequibo and the Select XI, took 1-25 to help orchestrate the demise of the Demerara batters, who lacked concentration and the temperament to ‘bat long’ as they failed to bat out 30 overs in a worrying batting display.

Berbice began their chase horrendously when Kisten was LBW to Wavell Allen for a first-ball duck before Allen sent Rampertab Ramnauth’s stumps for a walk to leave the score on 0-2 in the first over.

Allen struck again in his second over when he bowled Rampersaud Ramnauth (3) at 16-3.

Sanjay Algoo (9) was caught by Dowlin off Van Lange at 34-4 in the eighth over as the host fought back.

Arif Kadar (19) and Joseph saw the 50 posted in the 12^th over, but when Kadir fell to Nityanand Mathura at 55-5, with Berbice still needing 79 to win with half of the side down, Demerara were in the ascendency.

Joseph (15) and Budhoo (1) carried Berbice to 67-5 before the sky ‘opened up’ as rain spoiled what could have been an enthralling finish.