Attacking right-handed batsman, Richard Latif hit a whirlwind 109 to propel Regal All Stars to a comfortable 77-run victory over Success All Stars in the Open final of the annual Republic Cup organized by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc (GSCL Inc).
Latif hit 11 sixes and three fours to brighten the gloomy day on Sunday at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground after Regal All Stars took first strike in the 20-overs a-side affair.
When the innings started, Latif was a spectator at the none strikers end when his opening partner, Sachin Singh took 19 runs off the first over sent down by Dianand Singh. After Sachin was dismissed for 25 (6×4), Latif took over with some big shots
Captain of Regal Masters Mahendra Hardyal (left) receives the winning trophy from President of the GSCL Inc Ian John
that cleared the damp ground easily.
Sewchand Budhu also cashed in with a breezy 7-ball 31 (5×6) but did not carry on as did Kumar Bishundial who was unbeaten on 49 (5×6; 1×4) when the overs expired. In the onslaught, Dyaram Ramnauth who was by far the most successful
Mohamed Rafeek Ali (right) collects the Masters Over-40 winning trophy
bowler picked up 2 for 12 from 4 overs.
Success All Stars were then restricted to 174-9 after Budhu came back with the ball to claim 3/31 and was supported by Pritvinath Motielall 2/8 and Bishundial 2/13. Yoraj Premraj almost single-handedly took the game away with a fiery 17-ball 51 (8×6) down the order but with the top order back in the hut, it was a difficult task. Ramnauth was not out on 34 (2×6; 2×4) in the end while Chien Gittens made 27 (3×6; 1×4) at the beginning of the stiff chase. Latif was later adjudged the Man of the Match.
In the Masters Over-45 final, Regal Masters were pushed by Mike’s Wellman but eventually came out victors by three wickets with 12 balls to spare in the exciting
Lloyd Ruplall repaired the early damage with a well composed innings of 64
grand finale of the day.
Regal Masters won the toss and invited Mike’s Wellman to bat. The men in blue were quickly reduced to 9 for 2 in the fourth over before going on to make a competitive 176 for 6 from their 20 overs. It took a courageous third wicket partnership of 89 between Lloyd Ruplall and Jagdish Persaud to repair the early damage and give Wellman a shot at the title.
Ruplall was in a pugnacious mood and hit the top score of 64 (7×6; 2×4) while Persaud was more sedate in his 35 (3×6; 3×4). When they were dismissed, Wayne Jones came and asserted himself with a brave innings of 32 not out (2×6; 2×4). Bowling for Regal Masters, Motielall Chumandatt (2-15) and Saheed Mohamed (2-37) did the bulk of the damage.
The eventual champions then set about the run chase in a clinical manner with Mahesh Chunilall and Mahendra Hardyal putting on 60 runs. Chunilall who started the ball rolling made 35 (4×6; 1×4) while Hardyal who opened up after a cautious start made 41 (4×6; 3×4). Wellman’s Hardat Nandan who picked up 2 for 44 was looking threatening but Mohendra Arjune and Saheed Mohamed counterattacked.
Arjune made 28 (2×6; 2×4) but was dismissed chasing quick runs. However, Mohamed stuck around and eventually hit the winning boundary to finish unbeaten on 37 (3×6; 3×4) with Regal Masters 180 for 7 with two overs still in the bag.
Mohamed was named Man of the Match as Regal duly completed the double.
In the first final of the day, Ariel Masters beat Success Masters in the Over-40 category by seven wickets in a one-sided affair.
After a late start due to early morning rain, Success Masters who had first strike made a paltry 102 for 9 from their allotment of 20 overs with only Hackim Majeed making 29 (1×6; 2×4) and Baldeo Muller getting 26 not out (2×6; 2×4) due to tight bowling.
Man of the Match, Dharam Persaud was the leading bowler with 3 for 23 from four overs and was admirably supported by Peter Persaud with 2/22 (4 overs). In the run chase, Ariel Masters romped to 103 for 3 from 10.5 overs to win with 9.1 overs still remaining. Rocky Ali marked his timely return to competitive cricket with 22 not out (2×6; 1×4) but it was Ejaz Mohammed who made a rapid 43 (4×6; 2×4) that accelerated the formality.
Raymond Karim picked up one wicket.
The event was the GSCL Inc’s first for the year and was used to introduce the year-end extravaganza, the Prime Minister’s T20 Softball Cup 2 which will be staged from October 26 to 28.
Teams also used the day’s activities for adequate warm-up ahead of the March 16 to 18 Orlando Cup International Softball Tournament.
