Titanic battle for title today between Berbice and Demerara

GCB/Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter-County tournament…
After three rounds of intense rivalry in the Guyana Cricket Board/Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter-County tournament, the prospect of a spirited final to be contested by Demerara and Berbice looms large.

These cricketing leviathans are set to lock horns at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground at Bourda today (Saturday, February 22). Having registered three wins in three matches, Berbice are tipped as favorites heading into this round.

Berbice will be led by prolific West Indies U-15 player Rampertab Ramnauth, who has an aggregate of 142 runs, having recorded scores of 96, 27 and 19. The other Berbice top player is Salim Khan, the off-spinner who has taken 11 wickets in three matches and is fresh from two player-of-the-match performances.

Khan made an unbeaten 39 against Demerara and grabbed 3-17. He followed up that performance with 7-16 against Essequibo; and in his first match against the President’s XI, he took 1-2 in eight overs.
Besides Khan, the Berbice bowling is fortified with the likes of Matthew Pottaya and pacer Shiv Harripersaud. The batting will feature Ramnauth, first-round half-centurion Avishkar Persaud, Raashad Gafur and Sanjay Algoo among others. Demerara, however, has capable players to upset the powerhouse Berbice team.

It is true that Demerara has recorded two wins and suffered one defeat, which came against the same Berbice opponents. The city side will, however, be confident of their chances after registering a comprehensive win against President’s XI.

Opener Romeo Deonarine will be aiming to register a significant score. Joshua and Josh Alves, among others, have shown great promise but will have to be at their peak in this final. The Demerara bowling has impressed. Joshua Alves, in particular, was the star of the show in the President’s XI clash, bagging 6-1 in three destructive overs. (Brandon Corlette)