Clinical performances from Regal All-Stars and Regal Masters ensured that they booked their places in the inaugural edition of the Prime Minister’s T20 Softball Cup.
In the finals of the Masters category, Regal will have to face a stiff challenge from New York Hustlers while Speedboat will be looking to power away from Regal All-Stars when the finals take place today at Everest Cricket Club ground from 10:30h.
In semi-final action on Saturday, Regal All-Stars dumped Boots All-Stars out of championships contention with a nine-wicket trashing at Everest. Boots All-Stars batted first and labored to 135-8 with Delroy Williams scoring 25, Yoodhanlall Sukhlall 20 and D. Narine 17. Safraz Esau was on target with 4-25.
The well-oiled Regal All-Stars then raced to 136-1 in 10.2 overs with the dangerous Sachin Singh striking an unbeaten 73, Richard Latif supported with 26 while Esau chipped in with 15 not out to see his team to yet another major softball final.
Mahase Chunilall scored back to back centuries on Saturday to put his team in today’s final
At Malteenoes SC, Speedboat defeated SVC All-Stars by 13 runs. Speedboat took first strike and posted 207-9 with Lennox Marks making 49, Vickash Dhaniram 38, Anand Bharat 34 and Wazir Hussein 20. Travis Drakes, Ramesh Baron and Balieram Beharry picked up two wickets each for SVC All-Stars who made a brave attempt to gun down the target but eventually ended on 194-9. Raghunauth Prahalad got 24, Beharry 22 and Safraz Karim 20. Greg Singh claimed 3-26, Kishore Smith 2-33 and I. Ivan 2-52.
In the Masters category, Regal Masters ruled over Tropical Spring with a nine-wicket drubbing at GNIC SC. Tropical Spring managed 165 all out in 20 overs, batting first. Debo Sankar led with 78, Shahdeo Budhu supported with 22; extras contributed 30.
Laurie Singh, Parsram Persaud, Raj Ramnauth and Raymond Harper snared two wickets apiece for Regal Masters who then knocked off the target in 13.2 overs, ending on 167-1. Mahase Chunilall registered his second century of the day scoring an unbeaten 113 while Mahendra Hardyal made 21 and David Harper 20 not out.
At DCC, New York Hustlers beat HS Masters by seven wickets. Batting first, HS Masters got to 196-6. Jagdish Persaud blasted 48, Mohamed Rafeek 46 and D. Mohabir 32. E. Dodson took 2-33. NY Hustlers responded with 197-3 in 19.3 overs. Troy Gobin stroked 65 and Dodson supported with 45.
After the Masters final, the All-Star team will take to the centre pitch for their dual at 14:00h with $600,000 first prize at stake. The runner-up will bag $100,000.
In the Masters category, the champions will become $500,000 richer while the losing finalist will get $100,000.
All finalists will get trophies and medals while the Most Valuable All-Star Player will win a Hero Motor Cycle while a 55-inch television set will go to the Most Valuable Masters player.
The tournament is made possible through the generosity of Fly Jamaica, Banks DIH, Hero Motorcycles, Regal Stationery and Computer, Regal Sports, C. Mohan General Contracting Inc., Crown Mining Supplies, Elegance Jewellery and Pawn Shop, Ink Plus, Industrial Sullpies and Services, P and P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Ltd., Starr Party Rentals, Pyeo General Store, Clear Waters, Chung’s Global Enterprise, Gafson’s Industries Ltd., WJ Enterprise, Lucky Star, Ryan and Reuben General Store (Bartica), Massy industries, Guysons Engineering, Dino Enterprise (Bartica), Scott Service Station (Bartica), Swiss Machinery Establishment, Express International, Office of the Prime Minister and Jap Restoration Inc (New York).
Admission for today’s finals is free and will see the lighted stumps and zing bails being used while there will be lots of giveaways for the spectators. The Caribbean Hot Shots band and Raju Tassa Troupe will have the musical entertainment for all including the dancing girls CPL style.
