Prime Minister’s T20 Cup climaxes today at Everest
Ameer Mohamed
Ameer Mohamed

… Defending champs vying for consecutive titles

By Frederick Halley

IT PROMISES to be two enthralling finals when the second edition of the Prime Minister’s T20 Cup, organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL), climaxes at the Everest Cricket Club ground, Camp Road, Georgetown today.

Both defending champions, Ariel Speedboat and Regal Masters, who have played unbeaten in the tournament, will be seeking to add this year’s title to their collection when they clash with Boots All Stars and Mike’s Wellman respectively.

Boots All Stars and Mike’s Wellman also have unblemished records, winning all four of their matches, including semi-final victories over DS 18 and Fisherman’s Masters respectively and are fancying their chances of toppling the defending champions and favourites.
In yesterday’s Open semis, Ariel Speedboat defeated Regal All Stars at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, Queenstown while Boots All Stars turned back the challenge of upstarts DS 18 at the Police Sports Club, ground, Eve Leary.

The Masters semis saw Regal Masters make light work of Parika Defenders at Everest while Mike’s Wellman did the same to Fisherman’s Masters at Police.
Ariel Speedboat crowned an excellent day with a six-wicket win over Regal All Stars with opener A, Bharat (52) and Wazeer Hussain (47) ensuring there were no hiccups on the path to their second consecutive final. Bharat struck two sixes and three fours while Hussain’s knock contained three sixes and three fours.

Eric Thomas

For Regal All Stars, Sachin Singh (39), Marvin Babb (29) and Sewchan Budhu (29) were among the runs as Greg Singh (three for 29) and Shazim Hussain (two for 27) were among the wickets.

Over at Police, Boots All Stars sent DS 18 packing for 109 in 13.1 overs with A. Wallace bagging three for 19, Boots All Stars reached the required target in 12.2 overs with Balram Samaroo hitting a top score of 33.

In a lop-sided game, Regal Masters raced to 87 without loss after restricting Parika Defenders to a paltry 86 for nine. Eon Abel (47 not out with two sixes and two fours) and Eric Thomas (31 not out with three fours) sealed the game for the defending champions following David Harper’s three for 18 and Lawrie Singh’s two for 10.

In a game reduced to 16 overs, Mike’s Wellman served notice that they are up for a shot at the Masters title with an effortless 37-run victory over Fisherman’s Masters at Police. Taking first strike, Mike’s Wellman scored 142 for three in their allotted overs with Jagdesh Persaud (34), Wayne Jones (26) not out, Mahase Lutchman (33) and Ramesh Narine (24) being the principal scorers. Fisherman’s Masters were restricted to 105 for seven with Hemraj Pillay being the main scorer with 37.

Ariel Speedboat continued their winning ways yesterday morning at Everest over the previously unbeaten Bartica All Stars, winning by 70 runs in a high-scoring third-round encounter.

Led by a scintillating unbeaten 105 from Ameer Mohamed, who clobbered 10 sixes and six fours, Ariel Speedboat piled up an imposing 303 for five in 20 overs. Wazeer Hussain, who hit a century on the opening day, followed up with a fluent 66 (6×6, 1×4) while the consistent Lennox Marks supported with 52 and Shazim Hussain 46. R. Seenarine took three for 38.

Bartica rallied to 233 for nine with R. Sookra (66), S. Cornelius (41) and J. Azeez (39) being the main scorers. Vishnu Tamethandra took five for 38, including a hat-trick.
In what was easily the most intriguing game of the tournament, Boots All Stars prevailed by one run off the final delivery over Corriverton Spartan – a loss that cost the latter a semi-final spot. Chasing 166 for victory, Corriverton Spartan were left high and dry on 164 for nine when the overs expired.

For Corriverton, Delbert Hicks scored an even half-century with four sixes and three fours while J. Fernandez did most of the damage with four for 21. Boots were earlier bowled out for 165 in 18.4 overs with Balram Samaroo hitting a top score of 45 while R. Jafferally made 41.

Like their senior counterparts, Regal All Stars were also in a punishing mood, registering a huge 320 for three against Success All Stars at Police with opener Marvin Babb smashing 13 sixes and six fours in 112. Fazal Rafeek supported with 85 (9×6, 3×4) while Delroy Perreira’s 50 included five sixes and three fours. Success were routed for a paltry 115 with Perreira returning to claim three for 16.

DS 18 earned their semi-final place with an effortless victory over Enterprise Rebels, who suffered three consecutive defeats. Needing 284 for victory, Enterprise were prized out for 96 with Ricaardo Poloram grabbing four for 21. Poloram had earlier smashed 79 with 10 sixes and a four. Malcolm Hubbard and Jermaine Maxwell supported with 56 and 53 respectively.

SVC All Stars registered their first win of the tournament with an 11-run victory over Challengers All Stars. Richard Latif thumped five sixes and 10 fours as SVC All Stars were dismissed for 162 in 19.1 overs. Challengers were bowled out for 151 in 19.5 overs.

In the Masters category, a brilliant 115 from Eric Thomas, which contained 13 sixes and four fours and 50 (6×6, 2×4) from Rudolph Baker saw Regal Masters pile up 280 for three versus Royal Canadian Masters who reached 135 nine in their allotted 20 overs. Mahendra Arjune (3-19) and Lawrie Singh (2-3, 4 overs) excelled.

Opener Lloyd Ruplall scored 60 not out with five sixes and four fours and along with Wayne Jones 41 not out, led Mike’s Wellman to 158 for two in reply to Albion Masters 157 for seven, as Mike’s Wellman remained unbeaten in the preliminary rounds.

The tournament, which is in its second year, has seen a substantial increase in prize money in both the Open and Masters categories. The winning team will pocket $100 000 more than last year’s winners. This year $700 000 will be up for grabs in the Open category, while the Masters will vie for the winners’ purse of $600 000. Both categories will have a runners-up prize of $100 000 as well as trophies.

Today’s final will see the use of lighted bails while added entertainment will be provided by the Caribbean Hot Shot Crossover band and cheerleaders during the finals.
The tournament was played in collaboration with National Sports Commission, Ministry of the Presidency Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport. Regal Stationery & Computer Centre & Regal Sports also supported the tournament.

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