Ariel Speedboat successfully retained the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) Guyana Cup Seven title on Sunday evening after defeating Boots All Stars by three runs in a last over thriller played at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground.
Speedboat is now the first side to ever successfully retain a title in the seven years of the tournament.
Speedboat batting first, were dismissed for 127 in the 18th over with Vikash Dhaniram to scoring 27 which included two fours and the same amount of sixes. No other batsman reached double figures.
Avinash Sookdeo (3-31), Yoodhanlall Sooklall (2-7) and Roy Persaud (2-34) took wickets at regular intervals to stem the flow of runs as Boots All Stars bowlers produced a tidy bowling effort. Their chase, however, was unsuccessful, ending on 124 for 9 after requiring 12 from the final over to claim the 2017 title.
Mark Harold, who only gave away eight runs from the final over bowled Speedboat to another title, ending with 4 for 20.
Former national U19 cricketer Ejaz Mohammed (37) and Christopher Seenarine (22) played losing hands as Greg Singh (2-13) supported Harold.
Harold was adjudged man-of-the-match in the final and also won the MVP prize as Speedboat pocketed $800,000 and a trophy while All Stars had to settle for a trophy and $200,000.
