Defending champions Village Rams were reduced to mere spectators as Corruption All-Stars’ celebrated their victory when the curtains came down on the second Transcend Tape-ball tournament on Sunday at the National Cultural Centre tarmac.
In pursuit of 49 for victory in five of the 7-per-side contests, Carlos La Rose blazed to 27 (3x4s;1×6) and Treatlon Liverpool to 15 (3x4s) to see the scores read 52-1 at the end of four overs, thereby sparking jubilation as Corruption All-Stars went home $100,000 richer.
The victorious Corruption All-Stars’ members are all smiles after winning the Transcend Tape ball title
Village Rams’ plans of posting a much more challenging total were reduced to ashes when marque batsman Omesh “Rampage” Danram fell for six off a good catch behind by Liverpool, off the bowling of Dwayne Dodson.
Big-hitting Captain Ershad Ali made only four, which further dented the Village Rams’ progress, as only Amir Khan with 25 (2x4s; 2x6s) made a significant score.
Village Rams had earlier defeated the star-studded V-Net Vipers in a thrilling semi-final contest. Vipers, who have numerous senior national players in their armoury, had attained only 64-3 in their allotted overs, with Ricardo Adams top-scoring with 25 (2x4s; 1×6), and Kemol Savoury supporting with a 4-ball 18, comprising of three sixes.
It was Ali who gave Rams the early impetus, blasting two mammoth sixes and three fours in scoring 29, which just got his team over the line, had it not been for a brisk knock of 17 from Khan when wickets fell regularly. Defending just seven off the final over, Richie Looknaught did a commendable job to bring it down to the final ball, which saw a missed fielding opportunity bringing the desired result.
Organisers Dwight Dodson and Kefa Naughton expressed immense gratitude for the support of sponsors and the 11 teams which had entered the tournament. They also said they would soon enter planning mode to produce a bigger tournament.
The tournament was sponsored by Banks DIH under its flagship Banks Beer brand; Imperial Trading, Xavier’s Investments, Precision Auto Works, Regal Stationery, the National Sports Commission, Star Party Rentals, Movement Auto Rental, Church’s Chicken, V-Net Communications and Seeta’s Bar.
