West Berbice gave Essequibo their first loss of the 2018 Cricket Guyana Inc. 50-Over Franchise League, but the new champions still enjoyed the champagne popping to the max, having secured the title in the previous round when they emphatically dethroned 2017 winners, Georgetown.
Thursday’s clash at Bush Lot, West Berbice, was more meaningful to the home side, as they won by 115 runs on the back of a Man-of-the-Match performance from senior national player Gudakesh Motie.
Essequibo, asked to chase a challenging 279, were bundled out for 163 in 38.4 overs. Captain Anthony Adams struck a run-a-ball 53 (1×4; 1×6) and Kemol Savoury 36 (2x4s), but they provided little resistance to the rampant home team in front of a passionate crowd.
Chief destroyer was leg-spinner Kevin Jawahir with 4-40, while Motie (2-28) and Kevin Sinclair (2-28) were also amongst the wickets.
West Berbice’s innings of 278-5 was built around a blazing 55-ball 84 (5x4s; 6x6s) from Motie along with a well-composed 74 from youth batsman Javid Karim. Adrian Dutchin (39) and Leon Andrews (33) also made valuable contributions.
Mark Williams (2-42) and Akenie Adams (2-31) were the wicket-takers.
Attention will now turn to the Three-day League with Essequibo set to defend the title they won last year.
That tournament is expected to start in November.
