HAVING scored a mammoth 126 to overcome Die Hard in their semifinal fixture earlier in the day, Adventure inflicted a commanding nine-wicket victory over Golden Fleece, to take the inaugural Regal Stationery and Computer Centre title at the Golden Fleece ground on Sunday.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Golden Fleece, who had earlier defeated a very confident Cotton Field Wild Oats lineup in their semifinal fixture, were bowled out for a meagre 65 in 8.5 overs, Leyland McDonald (3 for 22), Ravindra Baljodha (2 for 3), Govindra Sharma (2 for 10) and Selwyn Greene (2 for 17) did the damage with the ball for Adventure.
Watched by a vocal and supportive crowd, which also included chief executive officer of Regal Stationery Mahendra Hardyal and vice-president of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. Lance Adams, Adventure on the back of unbeaten innings from Baljodha and Brian Mangal reached 71 for 1 from 4.4 overs.
When Golden Fleece batted, Shivu Hurrilall struck two sixes in his 14 and was supported by V. Mohan with 12, but no other batsman reached double figures, as the Adventure bowlers kept a tight rein on things.
In their reply, the eventual champions lost Shaz Grovesnor off the first ball of their innings, but Baljodha, who was later declared the Man-of-the-Match and Mangal, steered them home without much trouble, adding 71 for their unbroken second-wicket partnership from 4.3 overs in fading light.
Earlier in the day, Die Hard died easily in the first semifinal against Adventure, scoring 124 for 2 from their 10 overs with Jainanand Lall hitting 12 sixes and one four in his unbeaten 91, as he added 81 for the first wicket with Khalid Baksh who contributed 27 (2×6, 2×4).
Grovesnor struck four fours and a solitary six in his topscore of 46, which together with 21 (2×6, 1×4) from Mangal and Brijodha’s 21 that was decorated with three sixes, guided Adventure to 126 for 3 from 8.3 overs with Sasepaul Deodatt taking 2 for 23 for Die Hard.
In the second semifinal, Cotton Field Wild Oats, who, along with Regal XI, Wolf Warriors and Trophy Stall, are ranked within the top bracket of the sport in Guyana, had broad smiles after posting 134 for 5 from their 10 overs against Golden Fleece.
Dion Wallace led their batting with an unbeaten 52 (6×6, 1×4) and got support from skipper Ramesh Narine who made 48 (5×6, 3×4), with G. Singh taking 2 for 17 for the home team.
Hurrilall struck four sixes and one four in his unbeaten 35 which together with an unbeaten 22 that included three sixes from P. Singh, erased the smiles from the Cotton Field Wild Oats players as Golden Fleece reached 135 for 4 from 9.2 overs, even as Ravi Singh took 2 for 22 for the losers.
In the exhibition matchup between Regal XI and an Essequibo Select XI, the visitors won the toss and chose to bat first, rattling up 117 for 4 from their 10 overs, thanks to Patrick Rooplall’s 41 (4×6, 1×4) and 28 (2×6, 1×4) from Chien Gittens before they both retired and an additional 24 (3×6) from Safraz Esau.
Greene took 2 for 28 for the Essequibo Select XI, who were smothered by Mohammed Ayume and Ricky Sargeant who took 3 wickets each for 13 and 16 runs respectively while Esau took 2 for 5, to be restricted to 88 for 9, as Grovesnor struck five sixes in his 38 and Jai two sixes in his 14.
Managing Director of Romaine Car Wash the burly Romaine Ramkellawan, who played as a guest r on the Regal XI, held two catches at short midwicket off the bowling of both Sargeant and Ayume, while Esau was named Man-of-the-Match.
For their win, Adventure took home $100 000 and a trophy, leaving Golden Fleece to be content with the runner-up prize of $25 000 and a trophy. Both Esau and Brijodha received a trophy for their Man-of-the-Match efforts.

(By Calvin Roberts)