Defending champions, Regal All-Stars and former champions, Speedboat, will meet in today’s Open final of the fourth annual Georgetown Softball Cricket League Incorporated’s Prime Minister Cup T20 tournament.
Regal cruised into the final after rebounding from a one-run loss to Spartans All-Stars earlier in the day, registering a six-wicket win against the same opposition in their semi-final showdown.
Meanwhile, Speedboat held their nerve to clinch a 19-run victory over Ariel XI yesterday at Queen’s College.
In the third round rematch, Berbice-based Spartans won the toss and batted. The star-studded ‘blue machine’ raced to 184 for nine from their allotted overs but the seasoned Regal side cruised to 186 for four with 11 balls to spare.
The defending champions’ chase was piloted by Chien Gittens who made 61 not out. His innings was graced with three sixes and four fours. He added 61 runs for the fourth wicket with Roy Persaud (17). Gittens was given the perfect foundation as Richard Latif (27) and Fazal Rafiek (17) added 49 for the first wicket.
Earlier, Persaud pegged back Spartans’ march, returning four for 33. He was supported by Delroy Perreira who took three for 38.
Devendra Ramotar top scored with a brisk 10-ball 30 which was highlighted by four sixes. Ramotar added 53 for the sixth wicket with Delbert Hicks (16).
Keyon Sinclair also played an instrumental innings for Spartans with 30 from 23 balls. He elegantly carved two sixes over cover along with two fours. David Williams made 28 while Eon Hooper chipped in with 26 in a 49-run third wicket partnership.
In the second semi-final, a run-fest unfolded as Speedboat piled up 253 for six from their allotted overs while Ariel managed 234 for nine in reply.
Greg Singh smashed eight sixes and four fours during his 42-ball 84. Singh added 113 for the first wicket with Lennox Marks who made 48 from 25. Marks stroked five sixes and three fours during his innings.
Safraz Esau added 91 for the second wicket with Singh. Esau raced to 56 from just 21 balls, carving six sixes and four fours along the way.
Deon Wallace picked up two for 50, removing Singh and Ameer Yussuff with successive deliveries. Hemnauth Deochand also bagged two wickets.
In the chase, Quintin Sampson looked to pull off a blinder with a 30-ball 85. Sampson hammered three fours and 11 sixes, which cleared the pavilion towards the south end of the ground on six occasions. The 20-year-old right hander from Karia Karia was especially savage to Wazir Hussain whose over went for 34 runs.
Sampson added 75 runs for the fifth wicket with Shaz Grovesnor who made 42, with three sixes and two fours.
Grovesnor forged a 91-run fourth wicket stand with Brian Mangar who made 74. Mangar’s innings included nine sixes and one four. Kishan Smith picked up two for five while Peter Alleyne and Singh also copped two wickets each.
In the morning, the third round unfolded with Spartans registering a one-run win over Regal to top the group. Spartans posted 147 for nine from their 16-over allotment and dismissed Regal for 146 in 15.4 overs.
David Williams (42) and David Fernandes (30) were the principal scorers for Spartans while Diayaram Ramnauth and Karamchand Persaud bagged two wickets.
In reply Latif and Rafiek once again gave Regal a good start with 40 and 17 respectively. However, with 13 needed from the final over and one wicket in hand, Regal fell one run short as Chandrashekar Arjune, Andy Narine and David Looknauth picked up three wickets each.
Ariel booked their spot in the semis after beating Bartica Rangers by 157 runs. Ariel, on the back of an unbeaten 107 from Christopher Deonarine, posted 225 for eight from their 16 overs and skittled Rangers for 68 in 12.2 overs.
In the final group match, Speedboat defeated Cost Cutters by 69 runs after Esau (66) and Singh (47) carried them to 184 for seven in 15 overs and their bowlers contained the supermarket side to 115 all out in 13 overs.
Meanwhile, in the over-50 category, Regal Legends and Savage Legends will face off for the title while Mike’s Wellman and Fisherman Masters will clash for the over-45 championship. Both matches will be played simultaneously at 9.30 hours at the Everest Cricket Club ground, Camp Road followed by the open final at 13.30 hours.
