Action in the third Guyana Telelgraph & Telecommunications (GT&T) 10/10 nationwide softball cricket tournament continued last weekend, with a plethora of exciting matches played around the country.
With over 30 Million in cash and other prizes up for the taking, the competition heats up as a sold out crowd witnessed the respective zone finals contested last Saturday and Sunday .
West Demerara – On the West Demerara on Sunday national defending champion Wolf’s Warriors sealed their Super 16 spot with an easy eight-wicket win over Ocean View XI; dismantling their hapless opponents for 69 in 9.1 overs before responding with 70-8.
The previous day saw Wolf’s Warriors defeating Super Street by seven wickets, racing to 46-3 in 5.3 overs after bundling them out for 42 in 9.4; Devanand Persaud taking 3-15 off two overs.
On Sunday in the Zone semi-final, Wolf’s Warriors blasted Leonora Youths by 8 wickets scoring 94-2; skipper Amreth Jairam scoring an unbeaten 50 off 18 balls (6×6) after snaring 3-14 off 2 overs and limiting Leonora Youths to 90-8 in 10 overs. Imtiaz Hack offered resistance by clobbering 52 off 28 balls as wickets tumbled all around him.
West Bank Demerara – Up on the West Bank of Demerara in a very exciting match, last year’s Super 16 qualifier Speedboat Sports Club, maintained their dominance by squeezing past Invaders XI by 4 runs to qualify once again.
Speedboat Sports Club batted first and made 77-9 in 10 overs; Mahendra Singh hit 22. In reply Invaders found it tough in the face of some tight bowling, frustration eventually took its toll as the batters in trying to go over the top lost their wickets. They eventually ended on 74-7 in their 10 overs; Shazim Hussain claiming 3-12 from 2 overs.
On Saturday Speedboat took care of CRAG Accounting Firm ‘A’ by 6 wickets after limiting them to 54-8 in 10 overs, they knocked off the runs for the loss of 4 wickets 4.5 overs.
Last year’s Super 16 qualifier from the East Bank Zone, Farm XI again made it through, again at the expense of the team they defeated last year at this same stage, Digital Technology XI in a thriller to start the day at Wales Community Centre Ground.
Farm XI batted first and posted 108-5 in 10 overs; Patrick Khan led with 27 and Raul Reid 24*, the two featuring in a partnership of 51 off 28 balls; Digital Technilogy were stifled as they replied with 100-4 from 10 overs after having to score 18 from 20 balls at one stage.
On Saturday Farm XI demolished their opponents, V&A General Store and Graig Vipers by 114 and 81 runs, respectively.
Georgetown – In the Georgetown zone Regal XI unseated Trophy Stall XI by 17 runs in another match that was a see saw affair.
Regal XI batted first and scored 97-4 in 10 overs; the consistent Patrick Rooplall hammering 64 off 20 balls with 7 sixes. Trophy Stall XI replied with 80-4; Balram Roopnarine pegging them back by bowling a maiden and capturing a wicket in over number 8 after trophy stall were seemingly cruising at 68-3 in the 7th over. On Saturday Regal XI defeated Builders Lumber Yard and Assassin XI convincingly.
In the Lower East Coast Zone, Rockaway Auto Sales ‘A’ enjoyed more success by hammering Jaguars by 73 runs, cantering into the Super 16 stage.
Rockaway Auto Sales ‘A’ XI batted first and reached 118-6 in 10 overs; Devanand Samaroo led with 27 off 9 balls (2×6 2×4). In reply, Jaguars were sent crashing for 45 in 9.3 overs; Mahendra Ramlakhan was the most unplayable, returning figures of 3-7 from 2 overs; Jagdesh Deosarran backed up with 3-15 from his 2 overs.
On Saturday Rockaway took care of Trophy Stall ‘B’ easily while also cruising past Shooting Star XI .
East Coast – Mahaica – At Helena, Mahaica Raiders X1 showed they are the team in form, dismantling Enmore Cricket Zone to book their place in the Super 16 round. Enmore Cricket Zone were inserted and found the going tough as they were limited to 71-9 of their 10 overs; Imran Alli made 28, Marvin Babb took 2-2 in 2 overs.
In reply Mahaica Raiders XI cruised to 75-2 in 8.3 overs; Babb returned with the bat to lead the victory charge with 23*. Mahaica Raiders earlier in the day disposed of KB&B Contractor XI by 40 runs.
North Essequibo
At the Imam Bacchus Ground, Affiance Storm first got the better of Cottonfield Wild Oats XI by 27 runs in a repeat of last year’s Zone final. Affiance Storm also took care of business against Pomeroon Oil Mills by 8 wickets to advance to the Super 16 stage.
Pomeroon Oil Mills batted first and posted 74-8 in 10 overs. Affiance Storm replied with 76-2 in 6 overs. Earlier skipper Latchman Rohit slammed 49 (4×6) to pilot his team to victory over Cottonfield Wild Oats.
South Essequibo – In south Essequibo Rising Star Super Sixers rose to the occasion by defeating Tsunami XI by 6 wickets in the Zone final, earning a Super 16 berth.
West Berbice – D’Edward Sports Club triumphed over Firepoint by 33 runs to claim the top spot in that Zone. Earlier, D’Edward Sports Club made light work of Pick Up XI by 7 wickets.
At Port Mourant, Universal Solutions Tigers, last year’s semi finalist’s from the Central Corentyne Zone, destroyed Yakusari Carib Cricket Club by 10 wickets to march into the Super 16. Yakusari were skittled out for 32 in 4.3 overs; the Tigers racing to 34-0 in 2.3 overs.
The much anticipated clash between Memorex and Celebrity Times saw the former triumphing by a mere 2 runs in a thrilling finish to the preliminary rounds in the Ancient County.
Scores – Memorex 118-7, Roy Jafferally 38. Celebrity Times 116 all out in 9.5 overs, Erashad Farouk 33.
