AT the LBI Community Centre ground yesterday, Demerara beat Essequibo by 29 runs in the opening round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) U-16 Inter County 50-over cricket tournament.
Nathan Bishop struck three fours and a six in his 41 from 45 balls and got support from Skipper Lomar Seecharran who reached the boundary five times during his 25-ball 27.

Makai Dowlin hit a cameo 19 from 14 balls, and combined with a 43-ball 22 from left-hander Proser Jacobus and a carefully constructed unbeaten 20 from 91 balls was the glue which held
the innings together and led Demerara to 168 all out in 47.4 overs.
Off-spinner Devraj Persaud (3-26), DeMarcus Thomas (3-22) and Rondel Nurse (2-16) were the architects of the destruction for Essequibo who were dismissed for 139 in 46.2 overs.
A vocal gathering watched in steaming heat as Ethan Silas (8) and Ravid Fredericks (17) provided the visitors a 31 runs foundation before Khan trapped Silas by LBW.
Thomas returned with the bat to hit a four and a six in a 74-ball 33 but only Jonathan Barry, who stroked three fours in his 21 and Usain Fredericks’ (10) reached double figures.
Pacers Somesh Boyer, Aaron Persaud and Khan had two wickets each for Demerara.

Meanwhile, at Lusignan, defending Champions Berbice made light work of the GCB Select X1 by inflicting a sound eight-wicket trashing on the GCB who were bowled out for 29 in 22.5 overs as Wasim Ali top scored with seven.
Leon Reddy had 4-7 and got support from Ravindra Persaud who captured 2-1 for Berbice who raced to 30-2 from just 4.5 overs.
Luck Amsterdam made 7 not out and Asgaralli Nabi was unbeaten on nine.
Justin Hicks (0) and Said Jumratty (3) were the batters dismissed.
The tournament continues today from 9:30hrs with Demerara facing the GCB X1 at LBI and Berbice doing battle with Essequibo at Lusignan.