National champs to be named this weekend

Unity Cup Softball League…

The Unity Cup organised by the Guyana Softball League (GSL) will conclude with the national champions in three categories being crowned over the weekend of June 23-24.
The tournament which attracted some 79 teams and lasted just over one month has seen some interest in areas being realised. The goal of the tournament was to resuscitate the sport in various areas and to some extent this was achieved according to the GSL.
The categories were male open, female and Under-15. The winner of the male open category will receive the Unity Cup plus $50,000; while the winner of the female category will receive several prizes as well. The MVP will be chosen from the semis and finals of each category, while the Under-15 winner and runner-up will receive medals and trophies.
Meanwhile, in the run up to the finals, these results were recorded:

8West Coast Demerara:
1 – Omesh XI gained a walkover from Speedboat
2 – Crossbreed Warriors defeated V&R in the 2nd semi final
Crossbreed racked up 147-6 in 10 overs and limited V&R to 51 all out. In the final Crossbreed XI MADE 93-9 in 10 overs. Omesh XI replied with 94-5 in 8.5 overs. Omesh XI through to the overall semifinals.

Lower East Coast:
1- Farm XI got a walkover from Durban Quarry
Enterprise defeated Success Enforcers by 12 runs. Enterprise batted first and made 90-8 in 10 overs. In reply, Success Enforcers were held to 78-4 in 10 overs. In the final, Enterprise were sent in and made a challenging 124-3 in 10 overs with Roy Beepat hammering 75. In reply, what seemed to be a challenging total was merely a warm up for Farm XI as they raced to 128 without loss in 7 overs, with Travis Alphonso 57 not out (5×6;1×4) and Rajesh Reddy 59 not out (4×6;2×4) making light work of the total. Farm XI through to the overall finals playing unbeaten in this tournament.
N/A Canjie:
Flying Stars defeated all and sundry to capture this zone, winning their semi-final by a huge 79 runs versus Edinburgh, then they defeated the star studded Rotterdam in the final by 20 runs. Flying Stars made 120-5 in 10 overs then limited Rotterdam to 100 in their 10 overs. Flying Stars through to the overall semis. All the male open teams are strong and can win this tournament as all have shown their ability to remain calm under pressure and the bowlers and batters all being in form.
In the female category, All Stars playing out of Berbice have the strongest batting line as both of their victories were achieved through their batting strength as the batters dominated all that were thrown at them. Cane Grove’s Queen of the Boundary seemed to rely on their overall team spirit to gain the advantage and have shown that when support each other they win. Linden All Stars have always been thereabouts with individual performances lighting up their game and if they can bring their A game with more contributions from all players can be victorious. Mahaica Combine are a moody set and are a dangerous side on their day but that is left to be seen which team will take the field considering the various moods they turn up with.
In the Under-15, most of the players seen are very talented and it will be a tussle for all the teams as the abilities of the players are equal but the edge can only be given on the day.
Additionally, the winners of the one ball in the various regions will battle it out with Khalid Mohamed and Romel D’Aguair winning West Demerara and Berbice respectively easily. Upper East Coast winner Travis Maynard was given a run and only triumph after a persevering performance.
Banks DIH has kindly consented to sponsor the day with music and a well-stocked bar. The entrance fee is free.