Guyana claim U-19 one-day title with unbeaten run

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC): GUYANA BEAT Windward Islands in their finalround game to finish unbeaten and clinch the oneday title in the Regional Under-19 Championship.

Playing at Warner Park on Monday, they came away with a narrow six-run victory to ensure they finished on top of the standings with 26.3 points.

Trinidad and Tobago, who lost just once – to Guyana – finished second on 20.8 points after beating Jamaica by six wickets.

Windwards, meanwhile, ended third on 12.9 points, while ICC Americas were fourth with 9.7 points.

Barbados, who lost their first four matches, finished fifth on nine points; Leeward Islands were one from bottom on 8.9 points, while Jamaica ended last on 5.2 points from their lone victory.

Guyana, however, guaranteed themselves the title with a strong performance, rallying to 217 after being asked to bat first.

Opener Raymond Perez top-scored with 77 off 117 balls with four fours and a six, while his partner Joshua Persaud got 40 and Javid Karim, 25.

The pair added 91 for the first wicket and when four wickets fell quickly, Perez and Ramnarine Chatura (19) put on another 32 to revive the innings.

Dillon Douglas claimed three for 32, while Jahseon Alexander (2-24) and Alick Athanaze (243) supported with two wickets apiece.

In reply, the Windwards got 48 from West Indies Under-19 star Emmanuel Stewart and 43 from opener Wayne Edward, but just came up short when they were bowled out for 211 in the final over.

They were cruising at 117 for one at one stage, but lost a clatter of wickets to decline badly.

Off-spinner Richie Looknauth was the best bowler with three for 31.

At Molyneaux, T&T were clinical in overhauling their modest target of 153, with Cephas Cooper top-scoring with 50 not out.

They were struggling on 27 for two in the seventh over before Cooper put on 50 for the third wicket with Sachin Seecharan (25) and a further 30 for the fourth wicket with Kirstan Kallicharan (23), to rescue the run chase.

Earlier, Dominik Samuels had top-scored with 62 as Jamaica were dismissed for 152 off 48.5 overs, with pacer Saiba Batoosingh snaring four for 24.

In the other game at Conaree, Barbados chased down 118 to beat Leeward Islands by five wickets.