By Rajiv Bisnauth
Riding on a superb all-round performance by Sherfane Rutherford, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) easily disposed host Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) by four wickets, and in the process claimed the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) sponsored New Building Society (NBS) 40- overs second division title yesterday.Man-of-the-Match, Rutherford first took 2-49 to help restrict GCC to 217-9 and then slammed an aggressive 76 to steer his side to the easy win. DCC eventually reached 218-6 off 35.5 overs.
West Indies Under-19 wicket-keeper batsman Tavin Imlach stroke an entertaining 67-ball, 65, inclusive of six sweetly times boundaries and a six in the run chase.
Earlier, DCC put in a disciplined bowling performance to restrict the hosts to a challenging total after Linden Lyght won the toss and put GCC in to bat.
On a flat batting track, the host lost Winston Forrestor, run out for three before Manny Ford and Martin Pestano Belle stitch together 51 runs for the second wicket.
However, just when the partnership began to blossom both batsmen fell in quick succession. Pestano Bell fell to Rutherford for 22, while Ford was dismissed to off-spinner Dennis Squires, also for 22.
GCC were 56-3 before Deonarine Seegobin and Ronaldo Ali Mohamed steadied the innings with a 79-run stand for the fourth wicket, but the host failed to build on that partnership.
Seegobin went for 26, before Ali Mohamed and skipper Devon Lord took the total to 159. Thereafter wickets fell on a regular basis, including Ali Mohamed for 43 (6×4, 1×6) and Lord for 49 (5×4, 1×6).
Carlton Javques had 2-39, while Squires, Ashmeed Nedd and Lyght all picked up a wicket apiece for DCC.
In reply, Raymond Perez and Sachin Singh starting off the blocks in a hurry, putting together an opening stand of 40 in 8.4 overs.
However, DCC went from 40-0 to 40-2 after both Perez and Singh were sent back to the pavilion for 24 and 12 respectively, to spinners Forrestor (1-39) and Pestano Belle (2-12) to change the complexion of the match.
It fell to Rutherford and Imlach to guide the chase with responsible knocks under pressure. The pair came to their teams rescue with a 133-run stand for the third wicket.
GCC did not help their cause after putting down Rutherford when he was on 31 and with some wayward bowling; both batsmen were allowed to play some exciting strokeplay.
When Rutherford was dismissed after his 81-ball innings, inclusive of eight fours and two sixes, DCC had needed a further 45 runs from 62 balls for victory.
Squires joined the level-headed Imlach, but his stay was short. However, DCC then lost Imlack and Cleon McEwan in the space of three balls to Ali Mohamed (2-41) at 202-6, but Lawrence Smith and Dexter George survived the testing period to see DCC home.
At the presentation ceremony, President of the GCA, Roger Harper thanked NBS for their continued support towards the development of the game in Georgetown. Harper, the former West Indies Vice-captain, said the tournament has definitely help in showcasing the talents in Georgetown.
He congratulated both teams for a displaying a good days of cricket.
Also making brief remarks was NBS IT Manager/ Compliance Officer Bobby Majeed, who congratulated DCC for the win and at the same time, lauded the GCA for successful running off the tournament.
Majeed said that NBS continues to support the game, since their aim is to assist in the development of the sport, not only in Georgetown, but countrywide.