By Sean Devers

Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) were large and in charge in their own back yard against Malteenoes when the truncated first day of the Star Party Rentals and Trophy Stall Division One two-day tournament for teams in the City ended.

Led by an unbeaten 78 from Sachin Singh who faced 132 balls and hit eight boundaries, which included two sixes, and 70 not out from National batter Tevin Imlach, who faced 93 balls and reached the boundary seven times, the Queenstown unit ended the day, which began at 14:30hrs on a spongy outfield due to overnight and early morning rain, on 171-1 from 44 overs.

Play began in hazy sunshine and Singh and Jadon Campbelle (16) took the score to 35 on a good track before pacer Delon Dalrymple struck when he removed Campbelle in the 12th over.

Despite the soggy outfield, the runs flowed on a small ground to the delight of the fair size gathering of mainly DCC supporters.

Both batters played several audacious shots on both sides of the wicket as the visitors used eight bowlers in an unsuccessful attempt to stem the run flow or make a break-through.

The pair have so far featured in an unfinished 136-run second-wicket partnership.

Left-arm spinner Dennis France was the most expensive of the bowlers as the batters took a liking for him; his five overs costing 35 runs. The DCC team includes National players Chris Barnwell and Ashmead Nedd.

Today is the last day and play is scheduled to start at 9:00am.