The Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground will come alive on Sunday with the staging of the semi-finals of the Regal Stationery and Computer Centre countrywide men over-35 and women 10/10 cricket tournament.
According to a press release, the tournament, which is being held under the theme “Maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” attracted some 37 over-35 men’s teams which will see a number of experienced players taking to the field as the Guyana Softball League seeks to ensure that softball cricket is played at all levels. In the over-35 category the winner will get $100,000 and a trophy while the runner-up will walk away with $50,000 and a trophy.
The best batsman, bowler, MVP, the finals man-of-the match, zone winners and best catch in the final will each receive a trophy.
In the female tournament, the winning team will also receive $100,000 while the second and third placed teams will receive $50,000 and $30,000 respectively along with trophies.
In the over-35 category, Regal Masters will take on Max Masters ‘B’ in one of the semi-finals. The match-up promises to be a thriller as both teams possess experienced and top players.
Regal will bank heavily on Samuel Kingston who has been outstanding in the batting department with one double century already. He will be supported by all-rounder Mahendra Arjune, the experienced Lance Adams,and Mahendra Hardyal. Mahase Chunilall, who has captured 21 wickets at a meagre average of four runs per over, will lead the bowling department.
Chunilall is also a capable lower order batsman who has two half centuries in the tournament. Chunilall will be supported in the bowling department by all-rounders Arjune and Raymond Harper who are both capable of picking apart any batting line up on their day. The Max Masters ‘B’ will be led by their experienced captain Talesh Ramotar who has been the driving force in their batting to date and has accumulated some four half centuries in the competition. He will be supported by Fazal Ally and Rudolph Johnson who have proven that they can turn the outcome of any game with their big hitting.
Andrew Azore, who destroyed the north Essequibo batting in the quarter-finals, will lead Masters ‘B’ bowling attack.
The other semi-final between Rangers Masters of West Coast Demerara and D’Edward SC of West Coast Berbice, which is expected to be a scorcher, is set for September 18. The female 10/10 category will also see keen competition as the rivalry between the Mahaica Princesses and Regal Mahaica Queens continues. Both teams came through the same zone and the players know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
The Princesses, who have a knack for surprising their older rivals with accurate bowling and sensible batting, lead the rivalry 3-1.
The Ituni Warriors, who are competing in the next female semi-final, having dominated the Linden zone in this tourney, are favoured to take home the winning prize.
Thhe day promises a lot of action which will be supplemented off field with a live band. Lucky spectators can also benefit from prizes provided by the sponsors.
