Regal Legends’ stranglehold on the Over-50 title at the Prime Minister’s Softball T20 Cup was broken on Sunday as their quest for a fifth consecutive title in eight seasons was denied by a spirited performance from Jai Hind Legends.
Ariel Masters (Over-40) and Speedboat (Open) also held their nerves to win titles at the day of finals held at the Police Sports Club, where all the champion teams copped G$600,000.
Supreme Stars copped the Women title.
Title success, especially in the Legends category, became synonymous with Regal, but their total of 163 was inadequate for the lads from Berbice, who battled until the end to lift a deserved title.
Rudolph Baker (40), Mohendra Arjune (32) and Wayne Jones (21) were the principal scorers for Regal, who were restricted by Vejay Seanarine (3-42), Hasant Husain Alli (2-18) and Azeem Khaderoo (2-40).
Lloyd Rooplall was the pillar of the sensational chase, scoring a blistering 67.
Regal gave away just seven extras, but a team batting effort by Jai Hind got them over the line.
Seanarine returned to hit 39, but nerves of steel and an unbeaten 22 from Richard Kellowan sealed the win in 18 overs.
Masters success for Ariel
Chien Gittens (49), the ever-consistent Richard Latif (40), Assif Ali (27) and Sheldon Adams (20) helped Ariel Masters post an imposing 197-6.
The total proved good enough as Fisherman fell short by 16 runs.
Zahi Salim (46), Keith Fraser (25) and Dhaniram Lakeram (22) offered some resistance for Fisherman as Gitten grabbed 3-32 from four overs, along with Ameer Nizamadin (3-39) and Latif (2-38).
Speedboat, the new Open champions
Guyana Ariel Knight Riders were dethroned as Safraz Esau blasted 79 in helping Speedboat to a mammoth 226-6.
Navin Singh (35), F. Satrohn (32*) and A. Yusuf (30) contributed during the onslaught.
In response, Knight Riders were restricted to 180-9 with Wazim Hussain taking 5-39 from four overs. Drakes and S. Grosvenor both made 33.
New Women’s champion
Linden’s Supreme Stars are the new female champions and G$200,000 richer after they defeated #64 Knight Riders.
In their 15 overs, they scored 123-8, and in response, the #64 Knight Riders were bowled out for 97 runs, also in 15 overs.
Marissa Rodney was the top scorer for Supreme Stars with 18 runs, while Jenefa Kewley impressed with the ball, taking two wickets for 17 runs in her three overs.
Melissa Daniels was pivotal in the bowling attack, claiming three wickets for 20 runs in her three overs, significantly contributing to the Knight Riders’ collapse.
Kewley was awarded the Player-of-the-Series title, while Daniels received the Player-of-the-Match honour for her outstanding performance.
Attention turns to the Vice-President’s Softball Cup set for November 8-10.
On behalf of the Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., handed over the team prizes.
