After convincing victories in the semi-finals of their respective categories in the Wolf’s Challenge Cup 2016, Regal All-Stars and Regal Masters are in line to complete another softball double.
In semi-final action played last Sunday at the Demerara Cricket Cub (DCC) ground, Queenstown, Regal Masters (over 45 years old) set up the final clash with dark horses Mike’s Wellman after dumping Albion Masters by five wickets while Mike’s Wellman booked their place after a convincing victory over Parika Defenders.
Wellman did well with the ball to bowl out Parika Defenders for a paltry 95 with Greg De Franca picking up 4-19 and Motielall Chumandat 2-33. Only Davenand Khannan with 21 looked threatening before he was dismissed. In eply, Nandram Samlall scored 40 and got valuable support from Lloyd Ruplall with 26 as they reached 96/3 using just 13.5 of their 20 overs. Kamesh Persaud was penetrative with the ball in snaring 2-15.
Regal Masters had a challenging semi-final clash with Albion Masters but at the end of the high scoring game it was the Campbellville Georgetown based team that advanced. Albion Masters took first strike and got to 185/5 with the consistent John Sumair hitting a stroke-filled 84 while Veerapen Moonsammy weighed in with 49. Fazleem Mohamed was the most outstanding Regal Masters bowler with 2-35. Mahesh Chunilall (51), Eric Thomas (28) and Eon “Rapper” Abel then got to work in a well calculated run chase of 186 which was achieved with one over to spare and five wickets in hand. The hard fought game will make Regal Masters go in to the final as favourites having been pushed harder and coming out quite easily but Wellman will be no push over as they have played beautifully to date.
Part of the semi-final action between Albion Masters (batting) and Regal Masters at the DCC ground last Sunday
In the open category, Speed Boat knocked out hosts Wolf Warriors in another high scoring thriller. Batting first, Wolf Warriors tallied 165 all out off the last ball of their innings to which the West Bank Demerara side replied with 166/5 from 17 overs. The hard hitting Lennox Marks fell two runs short of a well composed half century while captain Wazir Husain made 28.
Speed Boat will compete against Regal All-Stars who were all over East Bank Demerara side, Herstelling Raiders. Herstelling were bowled out for 172 with Michael Alexander (54) and Amir Khan (31) getting useful knocks. Fast bowler Sachin Singh took 4-25 for Regal who raced to 178/1 from 12.4 overs with Patrick Rooplall 64 not out and Navin Singh 40 not out seeing their team to another softball final.
All roads lead to the DCC ground for two semi-finals and three spectacular finals this Sunday beginning at 9:00h. The ladies will take the field first with Trophy Stall Angels battling Blue Divas on Pitch 1, while 4R Lioness will play Mikes Wellwoman on pitch 2 simultaneously for places in the final.
Then at 11:30h, the Masters final will be played with the winner walking away with the Wolf’s Challenge Cup Masters title and $100,000 while the losing team receives the runner-Up Trophy and $25,000. The Man of the Match in the final will pocket $5,000 and a trophy. Player of the tournament in the Masters category will also receive a trophy and $5,000.
At 14:45h, the winning female teams will emerge for the female final with the winning team guaranteed a Trophy and $50,000, while the runner-up will leave with a trophy and $25,000. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the final and player of the series will also receive a Trophy and $5,000 each.
The grand finale will be at 16:30h when the Open Male Final bowls off between Speed Boat and Regal All-Stars. The champions will receive the Wolf’s Challenge Cup Trophy and $100,000 while the losing finalist will get the runner-up trophy and $25,000. The MVP in the finals and Player of the Series also receives a Trophy + $5,000 each.
The closing ceremony is at 20:00h. This competition started in March earlier this year, but was hindered by the prolonged rainy season.
The Wolf’s Challenge Cup softball tournament is sponsored by Imran Hussain of Wolf’s Furniture Store at Leonora, West Coast Demerara and is being played in memory of his father Emam Hussain who died on May 10, 1995.
