REIGNING 10/10 softball champions Regal XI last Sunday underlined their status as one of the most decorated teams locally, when they defeated defending champions Speed Boat XI by 61 runs to capture the fourth annual Winston Murray Memorial softball title which was hosted at the Everest Cricket Club. Martin Dutchin led the eventual champions charge to the title, with an unbeaten 74 which was decorated with nine sixes and four fours that took them to an imposing 152 for 5 off their 10 overs in hazy conditions, before they bowled out their opponents for 91.
Dutchin and Fazal Rafiek added 48 for the third wicket after their team were 18-2, with Rafiek hitting two fours in his 20 before he was dismissed for 20, following which Dutchin continued to take the attack to the opposition bowling, sharing a 67 runs fourth wicket partnership with Richard Latiff (13).
So aggressive was Dutchin’s batting, that he struck Wazir Hussain for five sixes in one over, even as Delroy Pereira chipped in with 16 for Regal XI against Wazim Sunder’s bowling in which he took 2 for 23 for his team.
In reply, Speed Boat XI lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out in 9.3 overs, with Greg Singh who scored 21 (3×6) and Rajendra Singh with 17 being the only batsmen that showed fight to Safraz Esau who grabbed 3-10, Mohamed Ayube (3-11) and Sachin Singh’s 3-19.
In their semifinal matchup, Regal XI thumped Legaun XI by seven wickets, bowling out their opponents for 53, with Sunil Ricksenh making 18, while Ayube and Pereira took two wickets each for Regal XI, who in reply scored 57 for 3 from 3.3 overs, thanks to Sachin Singh’s 26.
In the other semifinal, Speed Boat XI who defeated Farm in last year’s final, maintained their supremacy over the same opponents by emulating Regal XI with a seven wicket victory of their own.
Farm batted first and were bowled out for 81 in 9.2 overs, led by 21 from Patrick Khan who overcame the bowling of Imran Hamid (3 for 5) and Shazim Hussain (2 for 15) for Speed Boat XI, who reached 82 for 3 from 6.5 overs in reply, thanks to 35 from Omesh Narine and 25 from Greg Singh, while Sheldon Perch captured 2-15 for Farm, who were guilty of dropping several catches.
Dutchin was given the man of the match and best batsman in the final awards while Ayube collected the most outstanding bowler prize and Wazir Hussain the best fielder accolade.
Speed Boat received $60,000 and a trophy for their second place spoils, while Regal XI received $100,000 and the winner’s trophy as their spoils, with each member of their team also receiving a medal.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, former Member of Parliament and General Secretary of the People’s National Congress/Reform Aubrey Norton thanked the teams for participating and said he does look forward to more teams taking part in future competitions, adding that the late Winston Murray played cricket in Legaun before furthering his studies.

(Calvin Roberts)