By Avenash Ramzan
A disciplined bowling effort followed by destructive batting powered Floodlights to victory over Regal in the Masters final of Guyana Softball Cup 7 on Sunday evening at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, Queenstown.
After restricting Regal to 101-9 in the allotted 20 overs, Floodlights raced to a nine-wicket win in the 12th over with opener Uniss Yusuf blazing to an unbeaten half-century.
Batting first, Regal never recovered from an early stumble, which saw three wickets tumbling with just four runs on the board. It was the perfect start for Floodlights, whose bowlers kept a tight hold on proceedings, making run scoring difficult.
Clive Canterbury, who started the slide, took 2-12 off four overs, before Ramo Malone snuffed out the middle-order, claiming 3-20 off four overs. Mahindra Arjune topscored with 30 (3x4s), Eon Abel made 18 and Raymond Harper 15.
Yusuf then commanded the run-chase, striking six fours and two sixes in a shot-filled 61 not out that earned him the Man-of-the-Match trophy. Veteran Essequibo Inter-county batsman Ramesh Narine was a mere spectator, ending on 12 not out in an unbroken second wicket stand of 76 after opener Ravi Latchman fell for five.
Floodlights collected the $600,000 first prize, while Regal had to settle for the runner-up prize of $150,000. Malone was named Most Valuable Player of the Masters category, winning a golden pendant in the shape of a cricket bat from Steve’s Jewellery.
