Undefeated Regal Masters on the verge of booking semifinal spot
NYSCL Independence Cup 2019…
Having previously been crowned champions in the NYSCL Independence Cup tournament of 2018, defending champions Regal Masters have placed themselves in a good position to guarantee a semifinal spot in this year’s play; and they aim to retain the title.
Ramesh Narine pulling hard for six against Corriverton Masters
When the action got underway at Canarsie Park in Brooklyn, USA on Friday June 28, the defending champions easily knocked over Corriverton SVC Masters and (NYSCL) Masters to keep an unbeaten record heading into day 2 of the three-day three-tier tournament.
Playing in the Masters category, Regal opened their account with a 46-run victory over Corriverton SVC, before stopping NYSCL Masters by 22 runs in sunny but humid conditions.
In the opening match, Regal Masters opted to bat first, and posted 149-4, with contributions coming from Ramesh Deonarine (56), Eric Thomas (39) and David Harper (21).
Regal Masters had an awesome day at the office in winning both of their matches
No Corriverton Masters bowler was spared the assault.
In reply, Corriverton Masters were bowled out for a meagre 103 in 17.1 overs. Left-arm spinner Laurie Singh spun webs around the batsmen to claim 3/9, supported by Throy Kippins with 3/24 and speedster David Harper with 2/28.
Regal then followed up this sterling performance in the second preliminary match, wherein they limited the NYSCL Masters to 107-8 as the latter replied to the 129-9 they had posted. In Regal Masters’ innings, opener Uniss Yusuf blasted 27 (3×6) while Deonarine’s consistency continued with a patient 17. There was an entertaining 17-run 9th wicket partnership between Laurie Singh (01 not out) and Parsram ‘Pacer’ Persaud (15 not out) to get to the respectable score after some good bowling from the hosts had created a crisis of sorts.
Fast bowler Bobby Parasnauth was accurate and deadly
Faizul Ulla led NYSCL Masters’ bowling with 3/19, while Kumar Chickery snared 2/23 and Imtiaz Ali 2/27 in blazing sun. In reply, NYSCL were unable to handle the pace of Regal Masters, and crawled to 107-8 when their 20 overs expired. Bobby Parasnauth lead the rout with 3/16, and got support from Laurie Singh with 2/24, while ‘Pacer’ Persaud and Kippins each grabbed one wicket to put their team in a good position to contest the semifinal.
Also in the Masters’ category are Fishermen Masters, the only other Guyanese team. They drew the bye on Friday morning before winning their second round match to put themselves in a good position to contest the semifinal as well.
The other categories in the competition are: Open, which attracted eight teams, and the Legends (Over 50 years old), with seven teams. There are also seven Masters (Over 45 years old) teams. The teams are in two groups for round robin competition before the top two teams advance to the semifinals, which are set for Saturday afternoon.
These games are set for play at Roy Wilkins Park.
