– Regal Masters and Speedboat the champion teams

AFTER three days of intense battle, Guyana’s top softball teams, Regal Masters and Speedboat ended the three-day tournament as the top two teams when the inaugural tournament ended on Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club ground.
The tournament, which witnessed softball in a new dispensation, was deemed a huge success by president of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Incorporated (GSCL), Ian John.
“What we witnessed over the past three days was definitely good for the game. Softball has definitely created that atmosphere in bringing people together, it has also created togetherness and sportsmanship; so yes, it was definitely a huge success,” John told Chronicle Sport during an exclusive interview.
After three days of competitive cricket, Regal Masters and Speedboat teams were the deserving winners.

Watched by a huge crowd that included Prime Minister and First Vice-President, Moses Nagamootoo, his wife Seeta; Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr George Norton; Regal Masters whipped the visiting New York Hustlers by 24 runs in the Masters final while Speedboat eased past Regal All Stars by 55 runs in the Open division.
The Regal Masters’ victory was first set-up by an attacking 68 from opener, Mahase Chunilall and a fluent half century from Eric Thomas.

Chunilall and Mahendra Hardyal (28) added 96 for the first-wicket which laid a solid platform for Thomas, who hit one four and six sixes in his 53.
After Hardyal’s dismissal, Chunilall and Thomas continued the assault, and together took the score to 172 before Chunilall, who struck one four and four maximums, was dismissed by Troy Gobin.
Thomas and Eon Abel (13) ensured the eventual winners reached a challenging 199-4. In reply the visiting New York Hustlers reached 175-8 when the allotted overs expired.

Chob Richmond (44 not out), Shameer Sadloo (36), D. Chumney (19), Gobin (23), and Roy Matura (24), were the batsmen who produced innings of substance in a losing effort. Thomas was the pick of the bowlers with 3-23 for the City side.
Meanwhile, Speedboat made a competitive 182-9 after they were asked to bat first. Anand Bharat and Lennox Marks put on 24 for the opening stand before Marks was bowled by Amir Nizamudin for 15.

Vikash Dhaniram (09), and Greg Singh (15) were then bowled by Fazal Rafiek and Nizamudin, respectively, to leave the score at 98-4.
Speedboat then lost Wazir Hussain (02), bowled by Esau, but Ricky Sargeant and Shazim Hussain propped up the total before Hussain was run out for 27. Sargeant made 21.
Esau claimed 3-38, Rafiek 2-40 and Nizamudin 2-42.
In the run chase, the City-based side were reduced to 39-5, and never recovered from that position, despite Navin Singh (15) and Sewchand Budhu (25), adding 33 as Regal All stars were bowled out for127 in 17.4 overs. Kishore Smith had 3-20.At the conclusion of the tournament, Azaad Azeez, Ralph Layne, Shawn Lall and Sewchand Budhu, were rewarded for taking five-wicket hauls while Vijay Surujpaul, Brian Mangar, Safraz Esau, Sachin Singh and Safraz Karim received awards for scoring centuries.

Kishore Smith was named man-of-the-match in the final, while Esau (162 runs and 12 wkts) received one Hero motorcycle for being voted MVP in the All Stars category.
Brian Mangar’s (201), highest individual score; Esau, highest wicket taker; Kawson Joseph, best wicket-keeper; and Delroy Perreira, best fielder; also received awards.
Regal All Stars received the Prime Minister’s trophy and $100,000, while Speedboat pocketed a trophy and $600,000.
In the Masters division, Mohamed Rafeek (highest individual scorer); Laurie Singh (highest wicket taker); Chunilall (MVP); R. Neil (best wicket-keeper) and Troy Gobin (best fielder), were outstanding performers.

Thomas was named man-of-the-match in the final while Chunilall received the MVP prize. NY Hustlers took a trophy and $100,000, while Regal Masters grabbed the Prime Minister’s trophy and $500,000. Zaheer Mohamed of Kaieteur News received the reporter of the tournament prize.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Prime Minister Nagamootoo congratulated the teams on their achievements and lauded the GSCL Inc on a well-organised tournament.