An aggressive half century from Rickey Sargeant helped Regal All Stars to a commanding 131-run victory over Softball Cricket Canada (SCC) All Stars in the Open final of the 15th annual Florida Cup, last Sunday in Fort Lauderdale.
According to a press release, the strongly-built, right-hander, walked in at number four with the now three-time champions 33-2 in the third over after winning the toss and batting.
His innings of 85 powered them to 233 for 7 from their 20 overs.
Earlier, Sargeant was a spectator at the other end, playing the supporting role to Patrick Rooplall who struck two sixes and two fours off the first six balls he faced to get the ball rolling at the only international cricket venue in North America, Central Broward Regional stadium.
In the next over, though, Sargeant got into his stride and began to match Rooplall shot-for-shot.
The attacking right handers took the score to 89-3 when Rooplall was caught at mid-wicket for 46 (3×4; 5×6) in the eighth over.
After Rooplall’s dismissal, Sargeant received support from Sewchand Budhu who made 16 (1×4; 1×6) and Eon Ellis 22 not out (1×4; 1×6) before he departed with the score 196-5 in the 17th over, 15 runs short of what would have been a well-deserved century.
Ellis, Rabindra Ramnauth (03), Martin Dutchin (06) and Delroy Pereira 10 not out (1×4; 1×6) then saw the champions past the 200-run mark.
Earlier, inform opener Sachin Singh eight runs with two fours and Captain Fazal Rafiek (01) fell to Ramkissoon who was the pick of the SCC bowlers with 3/33 from his four overs.
SCC’s reply got off to a bad start when fast bowler Martin Dutchin (2/13) sent back opener A. Rukhram without scoring and K. Parbhudin for six in quick succession.
Shilenda Ramnauth then took a wicket to leave SCC on 28-3 after eight overs.
They never
recovered.
R. Ramsuchit top scored with 47 (4×4; 2×6) while A. Sookdeo made 22. They were the only two batsmen in double figures when the innings ended at 101 in 19.4.
Kishore Smith was the most destructive Regal bowler with 4/22 while Pereira picked up 2/23 (3.4) and Ramnauth 1-13.
For his destructive innings of 85 (7×4; 6×6), Sa Sargeant was later named Man of the Match while Sewchand Budhu was named Man of the Series.
In the other categories, Orlando Legends won the Over-50 title after beating South Florida Legends in the final while SVC Corriverton took the Masters Over-40 title when they beat SCC Masters.
