Grove Primary crowned new Demerara champions of Future Warriors Tapeball

After a scintillating final of the ExxonMobil Guyana Future Warriors tapeball blast Demerara leg on Sunday, Grove Primary emerged new champions, beating 2024 winners, Stella Maris Primary by six wickets.

In the main event at the National Stadium, Providence, the East Bank Demerara-based Grove Primary won the toss and inserted the city side, Stella Maris Primary.

Stella Maris were contained to 47-2 after their eight-over allotment expired, but Grove Primary survived an early scare to eventually reach 49-4 with 10 balls to spare.

Wayne Green provided a late impetus for Grove, hitting two fours and a six during his top score of 17 not out while getting support from Roles Melville who made 12 from six balls.

Titus Allicock chipped in with nine not out to see his side over the line.

Eyeon Glasgow was the pick of the bowlers for Stella Maris, taking 2-14 after removing Sherwin Bunbury and Terrence Frank with three deliveries.

Earlier, Stella Maris were gifted 26 extras as Glasgow top scored with 12 not out from 20 balls.

Melville ended as the leg’s Most Valuable Player and leading wicket taker with nine scalps to his name, while Stella Maris’ Clyde Jacobs finished as the leg’s leading run getter with 88, scoring the tournament’s lone half-century.

In the semi-finals, Stella Maris opened the day with a victory over West Ruimveldt Primary in a one sided nine-wicket win.

Stella Maris won the toss and inserted West Ruimveldt Primary who made 67-3 after Steven Orie clubbed four boundaries in his innings of 20 not out.

Support came from Seon Harsham (13) and Eli Henry (12 not out).

Stella Maris then raced to 69-1 in five overs as Jacobs smashed five fours and a six on his way to a top score of 35 not out. Aaron Perkins belted two sixes in his 12-run cameo.

In the second semi-final, Grove Primary benefitted from three dropped catches by St. Pius to advance with a six-wicket victory.

Grove also won the toss and elected to field where they contained St. Pius to 40-4 as no batsman reached double figures and extras accounted for 22.

Melville continued his impressive form with the ball, taking 2-8.

In the chase, Joshua Ramotar, who opened the batting, steered his side to victory with a composed 14-ball 24 not out.

His innings featured three fours and one six.

Kevon Pile looked to secure St. Pius’ spot in the final, taking 3-10, but it ultimately came down to dropped catches saw them losing the match.

The tournament now heads to Berbice where 16 teams will compete this weekend (June 14-15).