A DOUBLE-CENTURY opening partnership between Renaldo Brathwaite and Mario Rampersaud propelled the Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme (BDFSP) to a positionof firm command over Guardian General Barbados Youth in their LIME Elite fifth series matchas they seek maximum points, today.
Right hander Brathwaite and left hander Rampersaud pummeled the inexperienced bowlers all over the relatively small ground as they laid the platform for a first innings total of 307 for three declared in reply to the “Youth’s 192 all outmade last week.
BDFSP, enjoying a lead of 117, then removed two of the younsters’ second innings wickets for 61 to be 56 runs ahead coming into the final day.
Resuming with their overweek partnership already worth 29, Brathwaite and Rampaul went immediately on the offensive as they sought to gather full batting points for the visitors.
The more aggressive Brathwaite was first to his century, his third in First Division/Elite competition, pulling a short delivery from leg-spinner Javed Leacock for his 12 fouroff the 146th ballhe had faced.
The partnership remained unbroken on 192 at the tea break with Brathwaite 103 and Rampersaud 85 not out.
Brathwaite started the new session with consecutive sixes off Leacock but perished in the same over attempting a third.
His 115 out of the204-run opening stand, took 172 minutes and contained three sixes and 12 fours.
Rampersaud, who like Brathwaite was let off by faulty catching, attained his landmark off 152 balls, in 189 minutes with 11 fours and a six.
Antonio Greenidge boosted the BDFSP effort with an ebullient, unbeaten 62 (33 balls, 4 fours, 5 sixes) to hasten the declaration.
Batting a second time, Shakeel Richards and Dario Belle (18 not out) posted 60 for the first wicket for the Youth before the former fell for 39 near the close.
