Guyana lift U-19 crown

Guyana are once again regional Under-19 kingpins.

The defending champions defeated Jamaica by four wickets in the final of the WICB Under-19 Championship at Manchester High School yesterday.

Set a competitive 246 to win, Guyana achieved their target at 250 for six with four overs remaining.

Leading the way for the Guyanese was West Indies Under-19 opener Shimron Hetmeyer with 55.

The left-handed opening batsman, who earlier this season represented West Indies Under-19s in the WICB Super50 Tournament, was the main man in two important partnerships at the start of the Guyanese reply and laid the platform for their victory.

He first put on a 59-run opening stand with Tevin Imlach (14) before following up with a 29-run partnership with Balchan Baldeo for the second wicket.

Hetmeyer was eventually run out with the score on 88.

His dismissal gave Jamaica a glimmer of hope as they claimed three fairly quick wickets to have the visitors at 149 for five.

However, thanks to knocks of 45 from No. 6 batsman Sherfane Rutherford, and 43 not out from No. 7 Kassem Khan, the victors were able to recover and reach their target.

fielding let us down

"Several things went wrong, but most off all, the fielding let us down today," explained Jamaica coach, Robert Samuels. "Catches win matches, and it is as simple as that. We could have been a little bit more aggressive, and scored about 30 more runs. But even so, if you don't take your chances, it will cost you, and that is what affected us."

Part-time off-spinner Brad Barnes, one for 42 off 10 overs; pacer Miguel Smith, one for 43 off eight; and captain and off-spinner Michael Frew, one for 44 off eight, were Jamaica's best bowlers.

Earlier, Jamaica, after winning the toss and electing to bat, were led to their total by opener and wicketkeeper Jevoy Spence, who slammed 92.

He stroked nine fours and two sixes during a 140-ball knock, before his was the sixth and final wicket to fall in the innings with the score on 219.

He also shared in three solid partnerships. The best was a sixth-wicket stand of 66 with second topscorer and Manchester High student Brad Barnes, who ended unbeaten on 51. The others were a 61-run fifth-wicket alliance with captain Michael Frew, who made 30, and a 40-run second-wicket partnership of 40 with Leonardo Friginette, 14.

Spinner Akenie Adams, two for 33 off nine overs, and fast-bowling all-rounder Kemo Paul, two for 39, also off nine, led the way for the champions.

The victory represented Guyana's sixth in the seven games with their only loss coming against Jamaica in the opening round of the tournament.