By Brandon Corlette in Berbice
West Indies Under-19 player Realeanna Grimmond displayed a fine all-round performance to lead Berbice Under-19 to a crushing eight-wicket win against Essequibo in the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) Under-19 female tournament.
Playing at the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground, Essequibo were asked to bat first, and posted 108-9 in their allotted 20 overs. A total of 61 extras propelled Essequibo to their total, as only one batter reached double figures.
Grimmond was the star with the ball as she picked up 3-19; and with the bat, the Rose Hall Canje star player scored an unbeaten 37 as Berbice ended on 109-2 from 11.2 overs.
Due to overnight showers, the match started late, but Grimmond got the ball rolling by claiming a wicket in the second ball of the match. She trapped Nickesha Narine for a duck at 1-1.
A 33-run second wicket stand, which was again dominated by extras from the Berbice bowlers, saw Essequibo fight back. However, wickets fell at regular intervals, with Grimmond doing the demolition job. She was supported by Tia Isaacs and Crystal Durant, who each had two wickets. Durant had 2-16 and Isaacs had 2-22.
Skipper Ashmini Munisar was the most economical bowler of the match, as she claimed 1-9 from four overs. In reply, Essequibo bowlers were taken to the cleaners, as the few spectators, which included Berbice Cricket Board President, watched Grimmond play an array of classy shots.
She struck four fours and a commanding six into the mid-wicket boundary. Her unbeaten innings spanned 55 minutes. Isaacs, who looked promising, made a 28-ball 22 in an innings which had four boundaries. Captain Munisar added the finishing touches in her unbeaten 13, after she was dropped on zero. Lavina Ragobeer, who took off the wicket-keeping gloves, took 2-28 from three overs.
The second day, which is today, Friday June 9, Demerara will take on Essequibo from 09:30h, followed by Berbice versus Demerara from 14:00h. This tournament was first slated for a 30-over contest, but has been switched to T20 format.
Squads
Berbice squad: Ashmini Munisar (Captain), Realeanna Grimmond, Lakshmi Mahadeo, Daniela Hicks, Jamie Campbell, Chrystal Durant, Denillie Lindie, Darshanie Subramanie, Tiea Isaacs, Tamera George, Renata Liverpool, Leah Kamala, Sadraha Ramdass, Danielle Mann and Kianna Leitch. The Coach is Tremayne Smartt, while the Manager is Erva Giddings.
Demerara squad: Naomi Barkoye (Captain), Sarah Amin, Nyia Latchman, Tamica Simon, Sheniya Mangra, Areah Ally, Anessa Chetram, Shoba Harnaraine, Canna Barkoye, Tilleya Madramootoo, Chelsea Latiff, Melanie Dover, Emalissa Whyte and Alliya Clarke. The coach is Heema Singh, while the Manager is Abena Parker.
Essequibo squad: Cyanna Retimiah(Captain), Lavina Ragobeer (Wtk), Nickesha Narine, Roxanne Hendricks, Laurene Williams, Neesa Samuels, Qzel Sampson, Aliah Da Silva, Jayara Rodrigues, Engrid Gouveia, Anasia Mangra, Nikefa Allen, Thalia Hack and Ashanti Mohamed. The Coach is Parmeshwar Persaud, while the Manager is Navika Narine.