Following the latest round of action in the Babulall and Son softball T10 tournament, the eight quarterfinalists have been decided and are expected to play this weekend.
The Essequibo coast tournament will see Venom going up against Essequibo Eagles while United Brothers and Adventure Sports Club will lock horns. Queenstown/Ariel XI will take on HVA Spartans and Golden Fleece will clash with Crown XI.
In the last group stage round, David Williams smashed the second century of the competition to help Venom beat Die Hard Brothers by 69 runs.
Williams hammered a tournament record 17 sixes on his way to 121 not out to see Venom to 182 for one from their 10 overs. Williams was off the mark from the get go, taking 23 runs off the first over which was bowled by D. Danpat. The Essequibo franchise player was supported by D. Mohan with 22 not out and skipper, Romario Mohabir with a 21-run cameo that featured three sixes.
In reply, Die Hard Brothers were skittled for 113 as Calvin Walcott bagged 3-19. Danpat, batting at number eight, played the lone hand for Die Hard Brothers, hitting two sixes and five fours to top score with 35.
In the second contest, HVA Spartans secured a four-wicket win over United Brothers. United Brothers batted first and posted 103 for four with Gopaul Dean scoring 56, decorated by three sixes and two fours. Kumar Dass chipped in with 24 while Satesh Deolall picked up 2-16 for Spartans.
Spartans then reached 105 for six with two balls to spare. Cameos from R. Deolall (29), S. Deolall (25) and H. Mohamed (20) proved vital as Dass bagged two wickets.
Also, Queenstown/Ariel held their nerve to pull off a three-run win in a low-scoring affair against Adventure Sports Club. Queenstown/Ariel were bowled out for 90 in 9.4 overs with S. Rajbanie taking 4-10. H. Deochan top scored with 37, laced with five sixes.
In the chase, R. Baljodha looked set to see his side over the line but was dismissed for 37 after hitting four sixes and one four. E. Baksh took 3-20 as Adventure were restricted to 87 for seven when their overs ended.
Crown XI duly handed HVA Spartans a 54-run defeat. Crown XI posted 149 for four and then limited Spartans to 95 for six.
Batting for Crown XI, Tameshwar Deonarine struck five sixes on his way to 55 not out. His innings was complemented by Munir Amin who carved three sixes during his 30-run innings. Mukesh Gobin was crucial in restricting Spartans as he bagged 3-16. S. Deolall top scored with 39 not out.
Meanwhile, Golden Fleece defeated Essequibo Eagles by eight runs and Cullen All-Stars secured their first win after beating Affiance Sports Club.
The tournament is being sponsored by Indarpaul Babulall and his son Navin, Trophy Stall, Norman Sue Bakery, I Saw That On TV and More, and Paul Jaman.
