Softball action rolls onto Parika today

Three teams will do battle today in the Back to Eden/Permaul’s Trading/Khan’s Trading and Trophy Stall-sponsored softball tournament as the excitement shifts to the Parika Salem Community ground from 10:00h.
Organised by the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), the tournament will see hosts Parika Defenders taking the tournament to Success Masters in the opening encounter from 10:00h in the masters’ over-45 category.
The second game of the day will see Parika Defenders getting back into action against Narine Masters from 13:00h.
Last week, when the teams converged at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground on Thomas Lands, Wellman Masters and Success Masters came out on top.
In the first game, Wellman defeated Narine Masters by the huge margin of 79 runs, thanks to their batsmen and a five-wicket haul from Ganesh Sookdeo. Wellman took first strike, and after 20 overs, were sitting comfortably on 202 for 6. Wayne Jones top scored with 53 not out.
Basil Persaud weighed in 110 werewith 37, Dinesh Vivikanand 27, and Nandram Samlall 26, all contributing to the winning total as only R. Seedat with 3/32 looked threatening.
Narine Masters then found the going tough and were bowled out for 123 after 16.5 overs, with Sookdeo bagging 5/20. Suresh Ramesh made a fighting 31, and was supported by Lionel Persaud, who made 30.
In the second encounter of the hot day, Success Masters were successful against Tropical Springs, beating them by 4 wickets.
Tropical Springs batted first and made a respectable 152 all out from their 20 overs, with Sahadeo Budhu stroking 49, Rafeek Ali 44, and Aaron Benjamin getting 25.
In the bowling department, Mark Fung was on target with 3/12 and Sham Boodram 2/20.
Success Masters then made light work of the run chase, getting to 153 for 6. Hakeem Majeed made 41, Baldeo Muller 34 and Suraj Singh 24.
The tournament is being played in three categories: Masters over 50, Masters Over-45 and Female Open. It is heading for an exciting finish within the coming weeks.