By Avenash RamzanDefending champions Essequibo got their campaign off to a winning start by defeating the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Select XI in the opening round of the GCB Under-13 Inter-County 40-over competition on Saturday at the Lusignan ground, East Coast Demerara.Over at LBI, Demerara also pulled off a commanding victory over Berbice as they started their quest for a maiden title on a positive note.Essequibo’s Timothy Ramdatt made the highest individual score of the day (59), while Afraz Ali (55) of Berbice was the only other player to score a fifty. Aaron DaCosta (4-36) of the GCB Select XI produced the best bowling figures of the day.At Lusignan: Essequibo defeated the GCB Select XI by 120 runsSUMMARY: Essequibo 196 all out from 33.1 overs (Timothy Ramdatt 59, Marcus Thomas 36, Marcanthony Obermuller 30, Extras 30; Aaron DaCosta 4-36, Tyler Nedd 2-14, Andrew Narine 2-29, Jayden Emmanuel 1-26) vs GCB Select XI 76 all out from 25.1 overs (Extras 38, Ravindranauth Naikbarran 13, Nicolas Madramootoo 11; Eshwar Tillack 3-8, Fayyad Baksh 2-3, Rondel Nurse 1-5, Justin Henry 1-18)Opting to bat first, the Essequibians were in early trouble at 27-2 with Select XI skipper Tyler Nedd removing opener Tufan Chatterpaul (0) and Eshwar Tillak (12) in an impressive opening spell.Opener Timothy Ramdatt and captain Marcus Thomas then steadied the innings with a 102-run partnership for the third wicket.From left: Player-of-the-Match Timothy Ramdatt, Marcus Thomas and Marcanthony Obermuller were the leading scorers for Essequibo (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/September 27, 2025)However, the fall of Ramdatt for a brisk 59 off 47 (5x4s, 4x6s), caught and bowled by Aaron DaCosta, triggered a collapse that saw the last seven wickets tumbling for 48 runs.Thomas scored 36 off 53 (3x6s), while Marcanthony Obermuller struck two fours and three sixes in his 30 off 20.DaCosta was the pick of the bowlers with 4-36 off eight overs, while Nedd (2-14) and Andrew Narine (2-29) were also among the wickets.From left: Aaron DaCosta, Tyler Nedd and Andrew Narine were the top wicket-takers for the Select XI (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/September 27, 2025)In reply, Select XI never challenged the target, with 38 extras (25 wides) accounting for exactly half their total. Ravindranauth Naikbarran (12) and Nicolas Madramootoo (11) were the only players into double-figures.For reigning champions Essequibo, Tillack (8-3-8-3), Fayyad Baksh (2.1-1-3-2), Rondel Nurse (4-1-5-1) and Justin Henry (6-0-18-1) were the wicket-takers.Eshwar Tillack (left) and Fayyad Baksh were impressive with the ball for Essequibo (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/September 27, 2025)At LBI: Demerara defeated Berbice by 55 runs SUMMARY: Demerara 167 all out from 39.4 overs (Extras 45, Nathaniel Ramkhelwan 28, Afraz Khan 20*, Lomar Seecharran 19; Afraz Ali 2-14, Khemraj Bharrat 2-14, Kelvin Henry 2-32, Donovan Newland 1-8, Jaden Ganpat 1-9, Sahid Gajnabi 1-22, Adrian Emmanuel 1-33) vs Berbice 112 all out from 27.3 overs (Afraz Ali 55, Sahid Gajnabi 20, Khemraj Bharrat 13; Nathaniel Ramkhelwan 3-4, Deshawn Ramnauth 2-15, Ashton Collins 1-12, Afraz Khan 1-18, Makai Dowlin 1-22, Jasani Craig 1-22)Skipper Lomar Seecharran called correctly at the toss and Demerara opted to bat first, putting up 167 after being in a strong position at 76-2 in the 16th over.Opener Nathaniel Ramkhelwan made 28 off 53 (4x4s), Afraz Khan, batting at number eight, chipped in with 20 not out off 50 (2x4s) and national Under-17 opener Seecharran made 19 off 17 (2x4s, 1×6).Jasani Craig (13), Mario Singh (13), Makai Dowlin (12), Deshawn Ramnauth (10) were all into double-figures, with extras being a healthy 45 (37 wides).Bowling for Berbice, Afraz Ali (2-14), Khemraj Bharrat (2-14), Kelvin Henry (2-32), Donovan Newland (1-8), Jaden Ganpat (1-9), Sahid Gajnabi (1-22) and Adrian Emmanuel (1-33) were the wicket-takers.In reply, Berbice slipped from 64-2 in the 14th overs, losing their last eight wickets for 48 runs. Opener Ali topscored with 55 off 75 (4x4s), skipper Gajnabi made 20 off 22 (3x4s) and Bharrat 13 off 19 (2x4s).Ramkhelwan crowned a fine all-round performance with 3-4, while Ramnauth (2-15), Ashton Collins (1-12), Khan (1-18), Dowlin (1-22) and Craig (1-22) were also among the wickets.Upcoming matches (All starting at 10:00h)Round Two (September 28)Demerara vs Essequibo at LBIBerbice vs GCB Select XI at LusignanRound Three (September 30)Demerara vs GCB Select XI at LusignanBerbice vs Essequibo at LBIThe date and venue for the final are to be confirmed.The post Essequibo lads make winning start to U-13 title defence; victory also for Demerara appeared first on News Room Guyana.