BERBICE produced a mesmerising bowling performance yesterday to rout Essequibo for an embarrassing 43 and were firmly in control by the end of the first day’s play, reaching a formidable 267 for four when bails were lifted as the second round of the 2008 Guyana Cricket Board GTM three-day Under-19 cricket competition got under way.

On a sun-drenched day at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, the Berbice bowlers were penetrative on a responsive track after they won the toss and immediately inserted Essequibo to take first strike.

In the opening round, Essequibo, who have been the whipping boys in this competition which is used primarily in preparation for the annual regional youth tournament, emerged victorious against the reigning champions Demerara at Everest.

But yesterday’s performance suggested that they are back to their old habits after promising so much from their first-round win.

In 1987, they were skittled out for a meagre 48 at the Georgetown Cricket Club and this was almost a repeat disaster for them as Berbice fast bowler Kevon Joseph (3-16), was backed up superbly by off-spinner Steven Latch (3-14).

By the close of play, Berbice were led by three batsmen who all registered half-centuries - Alex Amsterdam on 65 and Jonathan Foo 63 after Manoj Poorannauth made a fine 52. In addition to that, the left-handed Amsterdam and Foo have already shared a steady unbroken fifth-wicket stand.

Amsterdam, who mixed solid defence with occasional aggression, has so far hit four fours and two sixes from 112 deliveries while Foo has struck five fours and a solitary six also from 112 balls. Poorannauth stayed at the crease for 96 balls and reached the boundary on five occasions.

Opener Eon Hooper, who lost his partner Michael Felix without scoring, batted sensibly and was able to tally 41 good looking runs from 112 deliveries with five fours and a six, while Seon Hetymer made 17.

Essequibo not only lacked inconsistency with victories at this level; their bowlers were wayward while their fielding was sloppy.

Earlier, the batting substance was missing from the start of their innings after skipper Rayon Fredericks failed to negotiate a delivery outside the off stump from the energetic Joseph and soon after there was a parade of batsmen from the pavilion to the pitch.

Oyono Sampson and wicketkeeper/batsman Parmeshwar Neel scored 15 and 13 respectively. Joseph and Latch got the necessary support from leg-spinner Jonathan Foo who finished with two for five and one for three from pacer Keron Frazer.

ESSEQUIBO first innings

R. Fredericks c wkp. Bramble b Joseph 0

M. Austin c Amsterdam b Joseph 4

R. Parasram c Bramble b Joseph 0

D. Heyliger lbw Frazer 1

R. Alkins run-out 1

T. Tulsiram c Frazer b Latcha 8

O. Sampson b Latcha 15

P. Neel stp. Bramble b Foo 13

F. Henry c Frazer b Latcha 0

T. Massena not out 0

Y. Balgobin c Bramble b Foo 0

Extras: (lb-1, b-1, nb-1) 3

Total: (all out; 27.3 overs) 43

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-0, 3-5, 4-6, 5-6, 6-22, 7-33, 8-35, 9-43, 10-43.

Bowling: K. Joseph 7-2-16-3, K. Frazer 5-2-3-1, E. LaFleur 6-5-1-0, S. Latcha 8-2-14-3, J. Foo 1.3-0-5-2.

BERBICE first innings

M. Felix c sub. Hereel b Heyliger 0

E. Hooper c Austin b Alkins 41

M. Poorannauth c sub Smith b Alkins 52

S. Hetymer c Fredericks b Alkins 17

A. Amsterdam not out 65

J. Foo not out 63

Extras: (lb-3, b-20, w-5) 28

Total: (for four wickets, 80 overs) 267

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-97, 3-113, 4-132.

Bowling: T. Massena 8-2-31-0, D. Heyliger 10-0-31-1, O. Sampson 6-2-19-0, R. Fredericks 4-1-12-0, R. Alkins 24-5-50-3, R. Parasram 9-1-28-0, F. Henry 2-1-18-0, T. Tulsiram 2-0-7-0, Y. Balgobin 15-2-43-0.