…Police hoping to arrest GCC in eliminator

NATIONAL captain Tevin Imlach stroked 16 glorious fours and 11 effortless sixes yesterday to lead Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) to an emphatic 115-run victory over Police at the small DCC Ground and into the final of the Dave’s West Indian 50-over first-division cricket tournament.
Police will have a second opportunity to take the title when they face off with the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) for a place to meet DCC in the final next month after the conclusion of the over-40 World Cup scheduled for October 17-30 in Guyana.
The home team recovered from an inauspicious 50-4 in 9.3 overs to reach 344-9 in 45 overs after a damp spot inside the 30-yard circle resulted in a late start and reduction of five overs in sweltering heat. Skipper Kemol Savory, bowling medium pace, took 2-49 from seven overs
The shackles were kept on the cops who were bowled out for 229 in 32.5 overs despite an entertaining 68-run second-wicket partnership between left-hander Savory, who reached the boundary four times and cleared it thrice in 44 and opener Kevon Boodie, who hit three fours and six in 28.
Dwayne Dick contributed 67 from 33 balls with six fours and six sixes and kept hope alive, but in the end, it was a lost cause. Ashmead Nedd, Johathan Van Lange, Sachin Singh and Jaden Dowlin had two scalps each for the Queenstown side.
Earlier, Imlach and burly all-rounder Johnaton Van Lange, who clobbered five fours and six sixes in an 82-ball 84, added 201 runs for the fifth wicket on a flat track and a lightning-fast outfield.
The first-class pair joined forces after Lomar Seecharran (9), Singh (9), Alphius Bookie (12) and Joshua Persaud (2) were all dismissed cheaply to the delight of the Police supporters.
But Imlach went after the lawmen with all gun’s blazing, hitting sixes for fun as he toyed with the Police bowlers in his 115-ball 186 and along with West Indies U-19 Van Lange, created carnage at the ‘bull ring’ before Imlach retired at 251-4.
Imlach returned when the big hitting Van Lange was removed by Kanaiya Ramkarran at 266-6, before Dowlin was run out for six, Stephen Sankar (1) and Nedd (15) were dismissed by Savory, who is usually behind the wicket.
Imlach, eyeing a double century fell short by 16 runs when the allotted overs expired with Ricardo Percival being run out for two off the final ball of the innings.