In what aspired to be a great final, turned out to be far more than fans expected as they were treated to the greatest performance in 10/10 softball cricket last Sunday when Adventure Sports Club trashed Ariel by 51 runs to be crowned champions on the Golden Fleece Beach, Essequibo Coast.
Shaz Grosvenor (right) accepting his prize
Shining for Adventure were Grosvenor and Gavindra Sharma who were in destructive moods with the bat. Grosvenor struck two fours and 11 sixes in a scintillating knock of 80 while Sharma hammered 65 (2×4; 7×6). Chandy Jairam and Javed Azeez contributed 25 and 18 respectively as Adventure Sports Club posted a nearly impossible score of 206-2 in their allotted 10 overs with only Jonathan Fernandez with 1-19 having figures of respectability.
Ariel were then sent into bat with a now mammoth target of 207 for victory in 10 overs having to make at least 21 runs per over. They made a brave attempt but were restricted to 156-6 when their over expired. Fernandez and S. Lall made 27 each as Grosvenor came back with the ball to claim three wickets for Adventure.
In their semifinal matchup Adventure Sports Club beat Golden Fleece by 10 wickets in their encounter. Batting first Golden Fleece managed 132-9 with Patrick Rooplall making 51 while Sharma and Deon Grosvenor took two wickets a piece. Adventure Sports Club responded with 133-0 in seven overs while Shaz Grosvenor scored 69 and Sharma 62.
In the second semifinal Ariel went on to beat Annandale by 30 runs. Ariel mustered 161-3 with Brian Mangar stroking 78 and Neilan Cadogan taking two wickets. Annandale was only able to muster 132-7 in response. Cadogan kept his team in the hunt with an attacking 98 but when he departed the remaining batsmen failed to show any resistance, Mangar picked up three wickets.
At the end of the tournament Shaz Grosvenor ran away with two individual awards; Man of the match in the final best batman of the tournament while Sharma was voted the best bowler.
