Regal Masters maintained a clean record in the third annual Guyana Softball Cricket League-organised Prime Minister’s Cup yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club while Regal Legends were crowned the inaugural champions in the Legends category.
In the first match of the day as the tournament culminated under pristine sunshine just after a brisk shower, Regal Legends defeated New York President’s XI by nine wickets to walk away with the $300,000 cash prize.
Regal Legends won the toss and inserted the overseas team to bat and contained them to 139-5 in their allotted 20 overs. Regal Legends then coasted to 140-1 with five overs to spare.
The North American side were off to a decent start compliments of a 55-run opening stand between Mohammed Rafeek (30) and Dennis Mangra (33) but it was an even half century from Roger Martar that propelled them to a par-score on a flat wicket. Martar’s 34-ball blitz was highlighted by five fours and one six before he was run out attempting a second run. Eion Abel was the pick of the bowlers with 2-20.
In reply, the eventual champions were unbothered by the President’s XI bowling unit as openers Mahendra Chunilall and Veerapen Moonsammy chalked up half centuries in their 126-run stand.
Chunilall steered his side over the line with an unbeaten 61 from 50 balls, decorated with six fours but it was Moonsammy’s 30-ball 63 that catapulted Legends to the title. Moonsammy’s innings featured seven fours and one six, earning him the man of the match award.
Meanwhile, over in the Masters division, Regal Masters registered an eight-wicket win over Wellman Masters.
Wellman were invited to bat but quickly collapsed for 83 in 19.1 overs as Wesley Parsmauth (3-12), Lloyd Singh (3-11) and Khemchandra Dindyal (3-17) ripped through the batting lineup.
Lloyd Ruplall top-scored with 23 while only Wayne Jones (14) and Nandram Samlall (19) reached double figures.
In the chase, Ramesh Deonarine seemed to be batting on a different wicket as he blasted four fours and two sixes on his way to 52. Deonarine was supported by Dindyal, who returned to make 22 and forge a 72-run partnership for the second wicket. Regal Masters reached 87-2 in 14 overs. The Open Category was played under lights and the results of that would be published in a subsequent edition.
