EIGHT IS GREAT! Griffith’s ton spurs DCC to Beharry Cup 2nd division cricket title

Oct 13, 2008 Sports

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By Sean Devers
Forty-eight-year-old Lyndon Lyght yesterday lifted his eighth second division championship trophy as DCC Captain when the Queenstown unit, spearheaded by an even ton from Guyana under-19 opener Trevon Griffith, beat Transport Sports Club (TSC) by 35 runs in the Beharry Cup 40-overs second division cricket final at Bourda.

 

The 17-year-old Griffith who represented Guyana in this year’s regional under-19 series in Barbados capitalized on being dropped on 24 to hit eight fours and two sixes in his accomplished 95-ball 100 as DCC fell for 181 in 38.2 overs on a slow track and fast outfield.

Travis Blyden and Skipper Shawn Massiah took three wickets for TSC who were dismissed for 146 with three balls left in the match despite a fighting 45 from Blyden.

Off-spinner Denis Squires took 3-29 and got support from veteran Andre Legal (2-21) and Gladwin Brandis (2-22).

“It’s not done as yet! We now have to regain the Hand-in-Hand 50-overs title this year,” the still very fit looking Lyght said after collecting the trophy and $75,000 first prize.

The runner-up team received $50,000 while Man-of-the-Match Griffith took home a Hamper and $10,000 for his delightful century and tidy bowling.

Asked to bat in sultry conditions, DCC quickly lost Lawrence Smith for a duck off Alphonso at 21-1 while Travis Giddings had Alfred Mentore taken at short extra-cover for four at 21-2.

A stupendous piece of fielding by a diving La Rose at backward point ran out Leroy primo before he had scored and DCC were on the ropes at 25-3, as magnificent work in the field supported the TSC bowlers.

Griffith played some audacious shots and along with Brandis took the score to 61 before Brandis was trapped LBW to leg-spinner Blyden after making 20.

Griffith was then dropped by Poole at cover off Alphonso and made the TSC players pay dearly for their lapse with commanding batting even as his teammates struggled to get the ball away freely.

Jermaine Horatio stuck around for 14 before he seemed very unfortunate to be given out Leg before to Massiah and nobody else offered support to the talented Griffith who scored more than half of his team’s runs.

Watched by a small but vociferous crowd, TSC lost Chandra Persaud (0) with just a run on the board when TSC began their reply as former Demerara medium pacer Edward Burnette struck an early blow.

When Legall removed Mars Nicholson (5) and Kevin Alphonso (21) TSC were 31 -3 and in trouble.
Blyden and Haresh Persaud, who both later suffered leg injuries, repaired the damage before Persaud was forced to retire hurt on 18 at 83-3 and his departure affected the momentum of TSC’s run chase as Terrence Poole (2), Massiah (3) fell in quick succession and Blyden, who hit six fours in his 60-ball 45, was caught behind off Griffith’s off-spin to leave the Thomas Road side 109-6.

Brandis struck again at 117-7 while TSC’s misery was compounded when an umpiring error sent Travis Giddings (5) on his way as Griffith broke the wicket without the ball to run out former Guyana under-15 player Carlos La Rose (5) who was later hauled before the Match Referee to answer charges of dissent after he lingered on the field after being shockingly adjudged run out.

Stephon Sampson made 21 not out towards the end and when Squires removed Persaud, who returned to the middle but did not add to his score at 132-9, the last pair were left to get 36 from the final over for an unlikely victory.  Newton Parks was bowled by Squires to spark celebrations among the DCC fans.   

At the presentation ceremony, Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) President Bish Panday congratulated the winners and noted that it must be clear that the clubs which fall under aegis of the GCA have been some of the busiest clubs over the past year and a half.

“I say so in view of the fact that at the GCA, we have organized, planned and executed competitions at every level from under-15 to over-40,” Panday stressed.

“Our teams have played a lot more cricket and the fact that our competitions have been completed in a timely manner attests to the hard work of my executives in particular the Chairman of the competitions committee and the co-operation we have received from the various clubs and the Georgetown Umpires Association.,” Panday, who will be contesting the race for Guyana Cricket Board’s Presidency in January, added.

The GCA top man thanked the sponsors Edward B Beharry Group for their sponsorship and singled out the Company’s Chairman Anand Beharry and Anthony Xavier whom he said executed their job brilliantly on behalf of the sponsors. 

The Ace Warriors pair of Rawle Enmore (Best batsman) and spinner Abzal Gafoor (Best bowler) collected a trophy and a hamper for their efforts while MSC’s Sarfraz Esau won the ‘Best Keeper’ award.

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