In bright sunshine on Sunday, the Dagg Point Cricket ground in Bartica, Essequibo, welcomed a sizable crowd for an exciting matchup in the Bartica T20 round-robin tournament. This event marked the return of competitive cricket to the town after nearly a decade. The tournament, initiated by former Guyana U-19 Wicket-Keeper Delroy Jacobs, showcased the talent and enthusiasm of the local players.

Despite a rain delay that pushed the start time to 14:00 hours, the action was worth the wait. The Bartica Strikers emerged victorious against Bartica ‘Under Dagg’, thanks to impressive performances from 17-year-old Ashton Simmons, who scored 52 runs, and Hamel Lamb, who contributed 50 runs. Delroy Brown (25) and Dellon Decosta (26) also added vital runs, helping the Bartica Gladiators post a total of 195 for 9. Inzamam Bacchus shone with the ball for the opposition, taking 3 wickets for just 17 runs, while Massiah Joseph and James McIntyre each claimed two wickets.

In response, Bartica Trendsetters faltered, being bowled out for 184. Inzamam Bacchus led their innings with a solid 50 runs, supported by Andrew Simmons (39), Orrin Gibson (34), and Massiah Joseph (18). Delroy Brown was the standout bowler for the Strikers, claiming 3 wickets for 28 runs, while Ashton Simmons and Hamel Lamb took 2 for 13 and 3 for 45, respectively.

The previous day, the Bartica Super Stickers put on a spectacular display, amassing 268 runs for 2 wickets in their 20 overs. The highlight of the match was 18-year-old Ronaldo Jeffrey, who delivered a breathtaking unbeaten 168. He formed a formidable partnership with Ricardo Williams, who contributed 58 runs. Bartica ‘Under Dagg’ struggled in their reply, bowled out for just 76 runs, with only Daniel Mohabir (15) and Azir Khalil (10) making any significant contributions. Kevon Stephens wreaked havoc with the ball, taking 4 wickets for just 15 runs, supported by Garfield Phillips and Keanu Harry, who each claimed two wickets.

Delroy Jacobs, who is not only a participant in the tournament but also actively coaches young cricketers, expressed his commitment to revitalizing hardball cricket in Bartica. “The biggest challenge has been getting players to participate. Initially, it was tough, but things are improving, and I’m proud of young Ronaldo Jeffrey. He has represented Essequibo at the U-17 and U-19 levels and played for the Rest team in the senior Inter-County tournament,” Jacobs noted. He also praised other talented young players, including Kevon Stephens and Inzamam Bacchus.

“Olvera DeCasto and I have financed most of this tournament, but we’ve received support from local businesses. We have a group of players here who can compete with any team in Guyana,” Jacobs added, reflecting on his experiences playing cricket in Barbados and his commitment to nurturing the next generation of cricketers in Bartica.