Regal Masters and All-Stars teams left Guyana for the United States Sunshine state of Florida for the Florida Cup well prepared and full of confidence which ensured a clean sweep when the tournament was played last weekend.
Sewchand Budhu poses with his silverware which represents a memorable debut in Florida CupRegal Masters and All-Stars teams come together to celebrate the double on Sunday at Central Broward Regional Park stadium, Fort Lauderdale
Both teams played unbeatable over the three days and were heavy favourites for the top prizes even before the first ball was bowled on Friday.
The finals were played at the international cricket venue, the Central Broward Regional Park stadium in Lauderhill and were blessed with brilliant weather for the finale. In the opening fixture, Regal Masters were led by Eric Thomas with assistance from Rudolph Baker as the pair rescued their team from disaster against dark horses, Orlando Masters.
Regal Masters were sent in and were once again in top order troubles on a flat track and lightning fast outfield with boundaries not so far apart. Eion Abel (4) was bowled in the first over and his opening partner, Mahendra Hardyal (0) was snapped up in the covers next over at 9/2. The most consistent pair, Mahesh Chinilall and Mohendra Arjune then joined forces and played some shots to get the innings going but their dismissals to good bowling from the Orlando Masters saw a significant dip in the scoring rate especially when Linden Lyght played and missed for 17 from 28 balls. Chunilall who played a match winning innings, 95 not out in the semifinals against Floodlights of Guyana made 28 (4×3) and Ajrune who looked in good touch all tournament without getting a big score made 14 (4×1; 6×1).
At 62/4 after 10 overs, the Regal Masters camp looked uneasy but after Lyght limped off in the 12th over with a hamstring injury it was time for the Thomas/Baker show. They put on 129 in under seven overs that give them momentum for the second half of the final while knocking the wind out of the sails of Orlando Masters. The left-handed Thomas hit 10 maximums and three fours in the top score of 82 from 29 balls while the hard hitting Rudolph “Gussy” Baker finished on 41 not out from 19 balls with three fours and four sixes to push the score to 199/4 from their 20 overs. All of the Orlando Masters bowlers’ second spells were expensive, Motie Singh picked up 2-48, Colin Gonsalves 1-28 and Tony Kissoon 1-35 were the wicket takers.
Orlando Masters began the run chase on a positive note and after 10 overs they were 74/3 entertaining thoughts of an upset. Laurie “Tony” Singh and Capatin Throy Kippins had other ideas and spun webs around the opposition before they were dismissed for 152 in the 19th over. Singh finished with 2-16 and Kippins 2-19 while Hardyal (1-28) and Fazleem Mohamed (1-52) claimed one each. Daniel Sahadeo made 39, John Joseph 23 and Gonsalves 20 tried valiantly while the tournament’s highest run scorer Terry Permaul who hit 204 on the opening day against Legends was sent back for a single to give Regal Masters the 47-run victory and the championship in their third attempt at the Florida Cup.
A good crowd gathered to witness the Regal double as the All-Stars team duly blew away Hurricanes of South Florida by 10 wickets in a one-sided affair.
The championship was set up by clever bowling from Tyrone Sanasie and Delroy Perriera whose combined figures are 10-2-24-7. Quick bowlers, Richard Latif and Sewchand “Randy” Budhu opened the bowling and after 4 overs, Hurricanes were accumulating steam at 23 without loss when Fazal Rafeek tossed the ball to the 40-year old Sanasie who was playing his first match of the tournament. After the over the score was 24/3 with Rayon Sukhnandan (16), Kevin Budna second ball duck and Ravi Girou first ball duck all sent back. It was soon 26/6 then 38/7 before Paul Sukhnandan (22) and Ansar Baksh (23) put on 46 to push the score to respectability at 104 all out from 24 of the 25 overs. Sanasie finished with 5-1-19-6, Roohit Dutchin 3-1-3-2, Perreira 5-1-5-1 and Rafeek 1-23 (4). Playing in their first Florida Cup, the Regal openers wasted little time in taking home the big prize finishing on 106 without loss after 10.2 overs. Richard Latif stroked an attractive 74 (4×5; 6×6) and got great support from Navin Singh with 24 (4×2; 6×1). Latif hit his fifth boundary straight in the dressing room of hi9s team mates to spark wild celebration from the new champions.
At the presentation ceremony, both championship winning teams received trophies and medals while Sewchand Budhu was named Most Valuable player of the tournament. He was also awarded for making the most runs in the tournament including an even century against Orlando All-Stars on Saturday. Sanasie was adjudged the Player of the final while in the Masters category Eric Thomas was the Player of the final. All centurions and bowlers taking five wickers or more in a match received cash incentives.
Both Regal teams were preparing on and off the field for the tournament well in advance and will add the Florida Cup double to the New York Independence Cup double and the Guyana Softball Cup double to their resume.
