Latest update January 20th, 2025 3:45 AM
Sports Ministry’s HIV/AIDS Awareness program U-19 cricket series: Mangroo, Wong spur Bartica to
By Sean Devers
Man-of-the-Match Sumesh Mangroo fell seven short of a brilliant century while left-arm spinner Andre Wong grabbed 5-9 as Bartica scored an emphatic 172-run consolation win yesterday against host DCC in the final game of their three-match Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport HIV/AIDS Awareness under-19 40-overs cricket series.
Mangroo, who hammered six fours and three sixes in his 93, put together 138 for the first wicket with Kenzo Baksh who scored 55 with three fours to stet the foundation for Bartica’s 240-9 off 40 overs.
Mathew Marques continued his splendid tournament by taking 3-35, while Jamal Dillion had 3-32 and national under-19 player Royston Alkins 2-42 for DCC, who were bundled out for 68 in 24.2 overs as only Marques, who thumped three fours and a six in 21, reached double figures.
Wong, an Essequibo under-19 inter-county spinner, befuddled the batsmen with 5-9 from eight overs as DCC, who won the first two games to take the series 2-1, catapulted to defeat in sultry conditions.
Mahase Richard, who clobbered three sixes in a cameo 27, had earlier helped the Bartica cause by adding 63 for the third wicket with the 18-year-old Mangroo who eventually fell to the off-spin of Alkins after Marques had made the initial break-through by having Baksh stumped in the 23rd over.
Once national under-19 left-hander Trevon Griffith was removed by Kevin Fredericks for a duck in the first over, DCC never threatened as Wong, who comprehensively bowled Alkins for one, was virtually unplayable.
At the presentation ceremony, Director of Sports and Parliamentarian Neil Kumar, who took time from his busy schedule to speak at the function, told the youths to pay keen attention to their lives and to be very aware of AIDS.
He also challenged the organisers to hold such programs for other sports and said that while most people expected DCC to win the series it was heartening to see the Bartica side play so well on the final day of the series.
Alfred Mentore, the President of DCC, which collaborated with the Sports Ministry to host the event, said the competition was played in good spirit and was especially high in praise for those who ensured the ground was fit enough to facilitate cricket after heavy rain fell during the first two nights of the series which began on Wednesday.
Shareefa Baksh, HIV/AIDS coordinator of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, said it was great to see the linking of the fight against HIV/AIDS through sport and promised that more such programmes, not only in other sports but also culture activities will be held in the future as the Ministry make it’s contribution towards the AIDS prevention campaign.
Baksh also congratulated DCC for their series triumph but said she was happy that Bartica did so well yesterday since the victory would have boosted their confidence as young cricketers.
Marques who took the Man-of-the-Match awards in the first two games, was voted the Most Valuable player on the DCC side, while Wong received a similar prize for the Bartica team.
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