One Guyana Softball: Ariel claim double success in Masters and Open as Regal dominate Legends

The inaugural One Guyana Unification Softball T20 Cup reached its thrilling conclusion on Sunday at the storied Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda, with four teams crowned champions across the unified format.

The tournament successfully merged the President’s, Prime Minister’s, and Vice President’s Cups and delivered high-stakes, high-scoring cricket.

The day saw Regal Legends, Ariel Masters, Ariel Guyana Knight Riders (Open), and Rising Stars (Women) emerge victorious in their respective categories.

The three men’s champions secured the top cash prize of G$1 million, while the Rising Stars ladies collected G$400,000.

The tournament’s lucrative individual prizes were spread across the champions.

Uniss Yusuf won the spectacular award for the Legends MVP, driving away with a new motor car.

In the younger categories, CPL star Quentin Sampson (Ariel Guyana Knight Riders, Open) and Richard Latif (Ariel Masters) each won a motorcycle for their MVP performances. Linda Stephen (Rising Stars) was awarded a three-piece living room set for the Women’s MVP prize.

In the Masters final, Ariel Masters XI delivered a comprehensive 10-wicket thrashing of Regal. After restricting Regal to 157 for 7 off their 20 overs—largely curtailed by Richard Latif’s stellar spell of 4 for 21—Ariel made light work of the chase.

Opener Keith Fraser blasted a masterful 125 not out, ably supported by Chien Gittens (33)*, to steer Ariel home in just 11.2 overs.

MASTERS FINAL SUMMARY: Ariel Masters 160-0 from 11.2 overs (Keith Fraser 125*, Chien Gittens 33*) beat Regal 157-7 from 20 overs (Lakeram Roopnarine 33*, Lennox Mark 31, Patrick Rooplall 16, Randolph Ketwaroo 15*; Richard Latif 4-21) by 10 wickets

The Open/All-Stars final saw the Ariel Guyana Knight Riders successfully chase down Speedboat’s total of 147 for 9. Speedboat, despite a top score of 62 from Avinash  Mohabir, fell short after an excellent four-wicket haul from Johnathan Fernandes (4 for 23).

The chase was built around a destructive 47 from MVP Quentin Sampson, securing the six-wicket victory for Ariel in the 13th over.

OPEN FINAL SUMMARY: Ariel Guyana Knight Riders 152-4 from 12.3 overs (Quentin Sampson 47, Troy Drakes 25, Rickey Sargeant 21*; Wazir Hussain 2-22, Devendra Mohan 1-22) beat Speedboat 147-9 from 20 overs (Avinash Mohabir 62, Navin Singh 24; Johnathan Fernandes 4-23, Keyon Sinclair 2-19) by six wickets

Regal Legends maintained dominance over the Over-50 category by crushing Fisherman XI by 114 runs.

Batting first, Regal amassed a mammoth 232 for 6, anchored by a brilliant 111 from MVP Uniss Yusuf, supported by Eion Abel (82).

In response, Fisherman were bowled out for a meager 118 in 20 overs, with Yusuf capping his superb all-round performance with two wickets for 30 runs.

LEGENDS FINAL SUMMARY: Regal 232-6 from 20 overs (Uniss Yusuf 111, Eion Abel 82, Roy Persaud 46*,  Lloyd Rooplall 35; Andrew Chattergoon 3-49) beat Fisherman 118 all out in 20 overs (Dennis Mangroo 20, Andrew Chattergoon 19*; Stanley Mohabir 2-15, Richard Driffield 2-23, Unis Yusuf 2-30) by 114 runs

The Women’s Final saw Rising Stars post a challenging 193 for 3 in their 15 overs, thanks to unbeaten half-centuries from Ackeela Stephen (67*) and Vena Garraway (57*).

In reply, No.64 Knight Riders fell short, managing 152 for 3, losing by 41 runs.

WOMEN’S FINAL SUMMARY: Rising Stars 193-3 from 15 overs (Ackeela Stephen 67*, Vena Garraway 57*, Linda Stephen 22, Mona Dundas 21) beat No.64 Knight Riders 152-3 from 15 overs (Tina Gaine 57*, Jenefa Kewley 48) by 41 runs