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By Frederick Halley
ARIEL Speedboat and Regal Masters maintained their stranglehold on the Prime Minister’s T20 Softball Cup, winning their second titles in as many years when the 2018 version ended at the Everest Cricket Club ground, Camp Road, Georgetown, yesterday.
The Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL)-organised tournament saw Ariel Speedboat thumping Boots All Stars by nine wickets in a lop-sided affair while Regal Masters held their nerves to defeat archrivals, Mike’s Wellman, by five runs in a cliff-hanger.
Set a modest 126 for victory after limiting Boots All Stars to 125 for nine in their allotted 20 overs, Ariel Speedboat raced to victory in a mere 10 overs with their captain and man-of-the-match, Wazeer Hussain, slamming a blistering unbeaten 78 off 28 deliveries. Already with a fine 159 in the first round, Hussain was in a no-nonsense mood, clobbering eight sixes and five fours to all parts of the Everest ground.
The left-hander shared an unbeaten second-wicket stand of 96 with his brother Shazim Hussain (32) who was at times a mere spectator as the assault unfolded. Hussain, who batted at number three, entered after Anand Bharat (14) departed in the third over with the score on 30.
Boots All Stars, who came into the final with an unblemished record, found the going tough from the onset, losing wickets at regular intervals. It took a fine 55 from former Under-19 batsman Balram Samaroo to bring some respectability to the innings. The left-handed Samaroo, who hails from Berbice, struck four sixes and a four in his knock while Keith Fraser scored 22.
Wazeer Hussain also starred with the ball with three for 17 while Kishore Smith took three for 24.
It took a brilliant all-round performance from Captain Mahendra Arjune to spur Regal Masters to an exciting five-run win over Mike’s Wellman in an action-packed Masters final.
The experienced Arjune scored a fluent 44 and returned to claim four for 27 as Mike’s Wellman were left high and dry on 140 for eight in pursuit of 146 for victory. He also took two magnificent catches to crown a fine all-round performance which deservedly earned him the man-of-the-match award.
Arjune came to the rescue after Regal were struggling on 29 for three, sharing a face-saving fourth-wicket stand of 65 with David Harper who struck four fours and four sixes in a top-score of 53.
Arjune entered the fray with his side in a spot of bother after Imtiaz Mohamed had sent back Eon Abel (0) off the first ball of the innings and Eric Thomas for seven. He also lost Anil Hardyal (11) as Regal slipped further into trouble. By the time he was well caught by Lloyd Ruplall at long-off off Wayne Jones, he had hit six fours and a six.
Rudolph Baker hit a quick 24 off 21 deliveries towards the end of the innings as Regal reached what proved to be a winning total. Imtiaz Mohamed, who initiated the early breakthrough, ended with the excellent figures of three for 17 from his four overs.
Mike’s Wellman started well but were jolted by a double strike in the 10th over by Arjune who sent back Ramesh Narine (21) and Lloyd Ruplall (22) as they entered the half way stage at 64 for three. From a position of strength at 106 for three in the 12th over, they suffered an inexplicable middle-order collapse with Arjune receiving fine support from Parsram Persaud who chipped in with two for 28 while Throy Kippins took one for 26.
Ariel Speedboat pocketed $700,000 and a trophy for winning the Open category while all their players were presented with medals. Regal Masters were awarded $600,000 and a trophy. Both runners-up teams collected $100,000 as well as trophies.
Wazeer Hussain (Ariel Speedboat) was adjudged man-of-the-series in the Open category, “riding” away with a Hero motor cycle while Eric Thomas (Regal Masters) took home a 55-inch flat screen TV for winning the award for the Masters.
The tournament was played in collaboration with the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of the Presidency Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport. Regal Stationery & Computer Centre & Regal Sports have also thrown support behind the tournament.
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who graced the presentation ceremony, called for a unification of the two leagues which have separate international tournaments, pointing out that this will ensure a solid platform for the game in Guyana.
GSCL president Ian John showered praises on the several sponsors and 24 teams which participated in the three-day tournament while also complimenting Bartica for their fine showing in the competition, winning two matches and losing to eventual winners Ariel Speedboat.
