GCB/Tropical Spring Over-40 T20…
— No play possible at Everest, Imam Bacchus
By Brandon Corlette

The opening round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Tropical Spring Over-40 T20 tournament bowled off in grand style with Bel Air Rubis Ultra Tec, Jai Hind Jaguars, West Berbice Masters and West Demerara Mavericks registering wins in the matches played at Enmore Community Centre Ground and Jai Hind. Due to the incliment weather, no matches were played at Everest Cricket Club and at the Imam Bacchus Ground.

Sandpiper Masters v Bel Air Rubis “Ultra Tec”

In match two at Enmore, Bel Air Rubis “Ultra Tec” defeated Sandpiper Masters by a massive 92 runs. In pursuit of Bel Air’s 150, Sandpiper Masters were rocked to 57 all out in 17.2 overs.

Earlier, Bel Air won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite cricket being absent at Enmore, the ground looked in perfect playing condition, and this was evident in the second match. The Bel Air lads racked up 149-4 in 20 overs, with East Bank’s Richard Ramdeen setting Enmore alive with an impressive 59, which included three huge sixes and two fours.

At the top of the innings, Bel Air found a rock in Nirmaldeo Sarwan, who scored a well-composed 38 which was decorated with two sixes and one four. Shawn Massiah (17*) and Ramdeen added the finishing touches with a 77-run fourth-wicket partnership.

Bowling for Sandpipers, Rickey Samaroo, Nankrishna Ram and Ryan Mangah each took one wicket. In reply, Sandpiper Masters got off the mark with a huge six down the ground in an eventful first over which also yielded a wicket. After that, things went consistently downhill for Sandpiper. Arthur Duke claimed 3-17 while Massiah had 2-4.

RP Construction Legends v West Demerara Mavericks

In the first match played at Enmore Community Centre Ground, which was reduced to 15 overs due to the rain, Mavericks defeated the Legends by 21 runs. Earlier, Mavericks won the toss and took first strike. Led by a blistering 40, which was decorated with three fours and one six from Lalta Sukhanan and an equally aggressive 34 from Manishram Balgobin, which included two sweet sixes, Mavericks rally to 94-6 in the allocation of 15 overs.

Khaled Mohamed took 2-5 in his over while Lakeram Dindyal, Khemraj Jailall and Parmanand Dindyal each took one wicket. In reply, Legends managed only 73-8 when 15 overs expired. Khaled Mohamed who had two wickets with the ball, returned to open the batting and scored 31, which he lacked support from the other batsmen. Seemangal Yadram contributed an unbeaten 10 down the order. Bowling for Mavericks, Nigel Viera claimed 2-10 in a collective team bowling effort.

Jai Hind Jaguars v General Marine Masters

At the beautiful Jai Hind Ground in the ancient county of Berbice, home boys Jai Hind Jaguars batting first after winning the toss, scored 139-6 in their allotted 15 overs. Kemraj Sumair blasted a scintillating 58 which included four maximums and two fours while the well-known Zahir Moakan, batting at number six hit a polished 40 which included three fours and two sixes.

For the visiting General Marine Masters team, Winston London was superb with the ball with 3-8, all his wickets came in one over. In response, Moakan completed a fine all-round game for Jaguars, claiming 2-14. The Masters were restricted to 110-3 after 15 overs with Daram Hemraj scoring an unbeaten 42 which proved insufficient as Jaguars down the Masters by 29 runs.

Sarjoo Tigers v West Berbice Masters

In match two at Jai Hind which was a low scoring encounter, West Berbice won by 17 runs against the Tigers. West Berbice scored 85 all-out in 16.3 overs with Rajran Hemraj being the lone batsman to reach double figures with 18. G Dindyal claimed 4-7 in his three overs. In response, Sarjoo Tigers were rolled over for 69 all out by Trevor Crawford who took 4-8 in three top overs.

Matches will continue today with RP Construction facing Sand Piper Masters at Everest followed by Regal Masters and Everest Master in the second match at Everest. WD Mavericks will meet KV Construction Masters in match one at Enmore followed by WD Masters and Bel Air Rubis Ultra Tec. In Berbice at the same Jai Hind ground, Sarjoo Tigers and Jai Hind Jaguars will play the first match followed by General Marine Masters and West Berbice Masters. First matches will bowl off at 9:30h and the second matches will commence at 13:45h.