By Elroy Stephney

ESSEQUIBO Under-17 batsman Boomesh Ramdahin stroked the lone century during the first of the preliminary matches as Anna Regina Secondary won the Essequibo Zone of the National Secondary Schools Cricket League.
The top school recorded victories against Cotton Field, 8th of May and Aurora Secondary in the finals and historically maintained their dominance among the schools within the district. All the matches were played at the picturesque Imam Bacchus Cricket ground at Affiance.

Anna Regina Secondary were off to a commanding start when they humiliated Cotton Field Secondary by 167 runs. Winning the toss and batting, Anna Regina Secondary, led by their openers, dominated throughout the innings, registering an imposing 235-run partnership without loss in their allotted 30 overs.
Ramdahin’s brilliant unbeaten 102 included 10 fours while Sheldon Charles narrowly missed a ton too, being not out on 97 after striking 8 fours and 3 sixes.

Ramdahin’s century was his first and joined the likes of former senior inter-county players Dinesh Joseph, Elroy Stephney and Clain Williams to score centuries while representing the school.
Demoralised by the authoritative batting display, Cotton Field Secondary easily succumbed, to be dismissed for 68 in 17 overs. Charles capped a fine all-round game by claiming 3-18 in 4 overs of off-spin,
It was Boomesh Ramdahin once again among the runs as Anna Regina Secondary secured their second win against 8th of May Secondary by 54 runs.

Ramdahin hammered 72, laced with 9 fours and along with Sheldon Charles’ 48, including 5 fours, piloted Anna Regina Secondary to 193-7 off their 30 overs.
In reply, despite a fluent 54 (8×4) from Antoine Rodrigues, Cotton Field Secondary were dismissed for 139 in 24 overs. Leg-spinner Bhadesh Parsotam claimed 5-17 in 6 overs to record the best bowling figures in the zone.
The final was keenly contested with Anna Regina Secondary securing a tense 18-run win over Aurora Secondary. It was national Under-15 player Lance Roberts who took centre stage for Anna Regina, as he composed a classy unbeaten 84 studded with 13 fours and, along with the consistent Sheldon Charles’ 38 (6×4), piloted Anna Regina Secondary to 221-6 in 30 overs.

Two outstanding innings from Divendra Mohan and Orlando Jailall respectively brought Aurora Secondary within striking distance of an upset win.
First it was Jailall’s composed 72 (12×4) at the top of the order that laid the foundation. When he departed, Divendra Mohan with a destructive 78 (5×4, 4×6) kept the game in the balance.
However, controlled bowling at the closing stages ensured that Aurora Secondary were kept restrained to be 203-8 when their overs expired. The wickets were shared by Bish Persaud 3-27, Lance Roberts 2-21 and Bhadesh Parsotam 2-19, ensuring that Anna Regina Secondary were crowned zone champions.

Meanwhile, the School will now await the winners of the other regions to begin the national playoffs.
The inaugural tournament is a joint collaboration between the Guyana Cricket Board and the Ministry of Education.