Floodlights beat Bush Lot United in last ball thriller

The experienced Floodlights hard ball team reputation as a formidable unit on the hard ball arena is increasing with every match the expert softball team plays.

On Friday night at their home ground the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) in Queenstown they defeated a youthful Bush Lot United Sports Club by five wickets off the last ball of their run chase. After being outplayed by Berbice Masters a week before the city based masters team turned the tables on the West Berbice lads that were sponsored by Jumbo Jet Auto Spares.
For Floodlights, whose parent body the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFCSA) is preparing to host the biggest softball tournament in Guyana, the Guyana Softball Cup six, this match was the closest they were involved in since challenging the format under the artificial lights at DCC.
They were ahead at the half way stage when the visitors were limited to 143/6 from their 20 overs, a total that can be easily achieved given the ground conditions and the debt of Floodlights batting. However, the West Berbice unit were not going to surrender without a fight.
Bush Lot kept the Floodlights openers in check and after 11 overs in the run chase the score was 53 without loss and it was game on with 91 still needed from nine overs but with all 10 wickets in hand Floodlights had the advantage more so since Christopher Barnwell was padded to bat next. However, it was Uniss Yusuf who changed the complexion of the game.

Yusuf, slogged six fours and fours sixes before he was finally caught off Rajbance Hemraj for 53 after given three lives by the youngsters who were player under the floodlights for the first time.
Yusuf lost his opening partner Ramo Malone for 31 (4×4; 1×6) which brought Amazon Warriors and Guyana Jaguars all-rounder, Christopher Barnwell to the middle who got off the mark with a chip over midwicket for six. At that point the home team were looking at an early night with Yusuf and Barnwell at the crease.
However, a few quick wickets brought the balance back in favour of the visitors. Barnwell was run out for eight while Patrick Khan (03) and Khalid Baksh (06) fell cheaply, however Tulsie Sahadeo remained unbeaten on 15 to see Floodlight home. The last over started with four runs needed but Baksh was bowled by Hemraj with one required off the last ball which Rabindra Singh played with soft hands to cover and took off for the match winning single much to the delight of the home team and supporters. Bowling for Bush Lot United Sports Club, captain Hemraj claimed 3-34 while Joel Dilchand had 1-34.

The match started with Agar Matabheek striking four fours and two sixes in a top score of 40 and added 56 with Kris Ramnarine after opener Yogendra Budhoo was taken off Patrick Khan for seven. Ramnarine was bowled by Surendra Nauth for 21 (2×6) while Hemraj made 29 (2×4; 1×6) and Dilchand 12 not out. Barnwell, Khan, Nauth, Baksh and Malone took one wicket each.
At the presentation ceremony that followed, Hemraj was given the best player award on the Bush Lot United SC side while Yusuf took the prize for the winners. Floodlight received the winning trophy. All trophies were sponsored by The Trophy Stall of Bourda Market.