The dust finally settled on the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association’s (GFSCA) Nauth’s Motor Spares, Trophy Stall and Mike’s Pharmacy competition when Regal Masters, Speed Boat All Stars and Trophy Stall Angels emerged victorious at the Zeeburg Sports Club ground on Sunday.
After rain prevented the organizers from setting a date after the finalists were decided last December and then the February 11 washout at Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) the finals lived up to expectations of being highly competitive.
In the masters’ final, Regal Masters defended stoutly after they were bundled out for a paltry 105 from their 20 overs.
Regal Masters celebrate another wicket as their strangle hold over Mike’s Wellman continues
It was a bad batting display from the Campbellville-based team after they were sent in under clear skies as only eventual Man of the Match, Mahesh Chunilall showed up. The attacking right handed opener held the Regal innings together with a well-composed knock of 52 with six huge sixes and four.
Wellman Masters bowled and fielded with good intent and had their opposition searching for answers after losing Eon Abel (01), Troy Kippins (00), Mohendra Arjune (03) and Eric Thomas (01) early on. It took a late rally from Chunilall and Mahendra Hardyal with 18 not out (4×1; 6×1) to see the champs past the 100-run mark. David Harper also contributed a valuable 14 down the order.
At the half way stage of the gripping encounter, Wellman Masters were the happier team after Lester Thom claimed 2-5, Jagdesh Persaud 2-13 and Latchman Kallicharran 2-20 did the hard work of restricting Regal Masters.
Trophy Stall Angels added another championship trophy to their already huge collection
However, with their backs against the wall Regal Masters bowlers turned up to the party to send Wellman Masters packing for 93 falling short by 12 runs.
Openers Vivekanand Dinesh, 17 (4×1; 6×1) and Basil Persaud (10) put Wellman Masters on course for the upset but after their dismissals they rest of the batting crumbled like dry biscuit.
Only Wayne Jones with a fighting 18 (4×1; 6×1) down the order and Greg De Franca 14 (6×2) made it to double figures as Wellman were bowled out for 93 in 19.3 overs. David Harper picked up 3-24, Kippins 2-9, Parsram Persaud 2-18 and Laurie Singh 2-20.
It is the fourth time in a final that Wellman surrendered to Regal who took away the top prize of the championship trophy and $100,000. Greg De Franca was the Most Valuable Player of the Masters segment.
In the All Stars final which was building up to be a cracker, Speedboat proved to be superior over Success Sports Club with a six-wicket victory in the one-sided affair.
East Coast of Demerara champions, Success took first strike but were not allowed to score freely and were restricted to 92-9 from their 15 overs. Shilander Ramnauth made 12 while a healthy contribution of 26 extras propped up the total.
Man of the Match, Kishore Smith claimed three wickets while Mark Harold had two.
Speedboat then set about the run chase in a hurry and got to 93-4 in just 7.1 overs. Lennox “The Assassin” Marks clobbered one four and four sixes in a top score of 34 not out while Greg Singh made 25 (1×4, 2×6) at the top of the order.
Rajesh Reddy of Farm Sports Club was named Most Valuable Player of the All Star Tournament.
In the female final, Trophy Stall Angels beat Mike’s Wellwoman by eight wickets in fading light to cap a full day of softball cricket in the county side much to appreciation of the vocal crowd that witnessed it all. Mike’s Wellwoman batted first and managed 41-3 off their reduced quota of five overs with Matana Cambridge capturing 2-12.
Trophy Stall Angels responded with 44-2 in 3.1 overs. Ruth George made 18 and Cambridge who was named Player of the Match made 14. June Ogle of Trophy Stall was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the female tournament.
