Florida Cup Softball Tournament 2017…. Mission accomplished! Regal claim both titles
The winning Regal All-Stars and Masters’ teams posed with their trophies
The winning Regal All-Stars and Masters’ teams posed with their trophies

By Rajiv Bisnauth, in Florida

REGAL Masters and All-Stars teams won both titles when the Florida Cup Softball tournament concluded yesterday at the Central Broward Regional Park and Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida.
Eric Thomas and Rudolph Baker, left the Stadium shaking after they rattled up a sensational unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 129 off 42 balls, which was the backbone for the Regal Masters’ 47 runs win over the Orlando Masters.’Thomas with a blistering 29-ball 82 knock took his team to 199, which definitely motivated the visitors’ victory.
The right-hander blasted 10 sixes and three fours, while Baker made 41 off 29 balls, inclusive of two fours and four sixes.
With a run rate set at ten runs an over, Orlando Masters’ were never allow the momentum, and were 152-8 off 18.3 overs, when they conceded the game.
Asked to bat first in wonderful conditions, the visitors soon found themselves on the back foot, losing three wickets inside the power play overs, which yielded just 35 runs.
Motie Singh and Tony Kissoon began strongly. Singh removed Eion Able (4) and Mohendra Arjune (14), while Kissoon accounted for Mahebdra Hardyal without scoring.
However, semi-final hero Mahesh Chunilall and Lyndon Lyght, prevented further inroads, and together staged a meaningful recovery, added 31 for the fourth-wicket. But after contributing 28 to the total, Chunilall was dismissed in the tenth over. Chunilall’s dismissal sucked the momentum out the innings somewhat, and runs dried up in the next five overs.
The Orlando bowlers were spot on in their line, and were propped up by some good fielding. During that period Lyght retired hurt on 17.

Tyron Sanasie, collects his Man-of-the-Match trophy

Regal Masters,’ through Thomas and Baker, then upped the ante for the remainder of the innings, hitting 101 off the final 30 balls.
The moment Thomas arrived at the crease he looked fluent right from the start, displaying a power-packed knock, much to the delight of the hundreds of spectators.
The visitors’ bowlers then bowled with menace, and in the process took wickets at crucial moments as the Orlando Masters’ batsmen bowed under pressure. Only Daniel Singh (39), John Joseph (23) and Collin Gonsalves (20), offered some fight.
It was a complete effort from all the visitors’ bowlers’, with Lennie Singh and Troy Kippins, claiming two wickets apiece.
Meanwhile, Tyron Sanasie bowled the Regal All-Stars to a comfortable 10-wicket win in the Open final over Hurricanes of Florida.
Asked to bat first Hurricanes produced their worst batting performance over the three-days to finish the tournament in humiliation.
From 23 without loss, the hosts were bowled out for 104 in 24 overs.
There could be no umpires or toss or conditions to blame for the defeat, but rather their batsmen simply did not come to the party.
Tyron Sanasie ripped the heart out of the Hurricanes batting order. The right-arm spinner claimed 6-9 in five overs, included three wickets in the fourth over of the innings.
He received support from Rohit Dutchin 2-3.
For the hosts Paul Suknandan (23) and Ansar Baksh (22), shared in a 50-run stand for the eight-wicket, and was the only meaningful partnership.
Regal All-Stars openers Richard Latif and Navin Singh, then whipped off the wining target, reaching 106 without lost in 10.2 overs.
Latif finished on 74, with five fours and six sixes, while Singh ended on 24.
The Florida Cup, now in its 14th year, has developed as one of the most popular tournaments in the USA. It has created an opportunity for cricketers from any and all Softball leagues to participate in a world-class tournament, which is being held in the beautiful Sunrise State of Florida since its inception.
The tournament, which has grown significantly over the years, is being held as part of Guyana’s 47th Republic Anniversary.

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