Reifer, Hooper, Jacobs star on opening day of fifth round action

Fifth round action in the Jaguars Franchise League Three-day tournament commenced on Friday with three games across the country. Highlighting the opening day were Raymon Reifer and Eon Hooper, who made a hundred and took a five-wicket haul respectively, while all-rounder Steven Jacobs followed up his three-wicket haul with a half-century.

At Port Mourant, points leaders Essequibo made 153 against Upper Corentyne after winning the toss and election to bat.

At lunch they managed to put up 129-7 with Kevin Boodie top scoring with 50 before he was out, caught at deep mid-wicket. Keemo Paul and Chaitram Persaud both contributed 18 runs, and Ricardo Adams made 10. Bowling for Upper Corentyne, Eon Hooper picked up 5-63, while Shawn Pereira had three.

In reply, Upper Corentyne managed to tally 190 with Balchand Baldeo making 28 and Kandasammy Surujnarine 34. David Latchaya and Anthony Bramble closed off play with 66 and 43 not out respectively. At close of play Upper Corentyne led by 37 runs in the first innings.

At Tuschen, West Demerara won the toss and elected to bat. West Demerara made good use of their decision to bat first, as they rattled up 333 all out off 97.3 overs. Raymon Reifer compiled a well-structured century, before being adjudged lbw by umpire Mikowanyah Yosef-Yisrael.

Romario Shepherd provided valuable support with 52, featuring in a fourth wicket partnership with Reifer worth 107. Good support also came from Mahendra Dhanpaul who made 31, Tevin Imlach 28, opening batsman Tagenarine Chanderpaul 23 and middle-order batsman, Travis Persaud 23. Bowling for Georgetown, Leon Johnson took 3-67, Robin Bacchus 3-40 and Ashmead Nedd 2-40.

Georgetown closed the day 1-0.  

In the other game, East Bank closed the day on 161-7 in response to West Berbice’s 140. SUMMARY: West Berbice 140 (Andrew Dutchin 28, Gudakesh Motie 21, Sherfane Rutherford 3-29, Ronaldo Ali Mohamed 3-49, Steven Jacobs 3-30) v East Bank 161-7 (Steven Jacobs 61, Sachin Singh 29, Sherfane Rutherford 23).

These three matches will continue on Saturday, while East Coast and Lower Corentyne will start their game at Lusignan on Saturday.