FOLLOWING a break to facilitate the smooth execution of the third annual Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) ‘Guyana Cup 111’, action in the GFSCA-organised, Trophy Stall-sponsored tournament will climax with the playing of three category finals at the Demerara Cricket Club ground today.The first final will bowl off at 14:00hrs and will be contested in the Over-40 category, where Floodlights XI, whose lineup includes Wayne Jones, Richard Persaud, Ramesh Sunich, Ramesh Narine and Ricky Deonarine, will oppose Success Masters who will be led by Hakeem Majid, V. Baljeet and R. Kowlessar in a T20 affair.
Up next will be the female final which is a 10 overs-a-side contest between reigning Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company 10/10 champions Trophy Stall Angels and one of their nemeses in Mike’s Wellwoman, in what should be a pulsating and exciting clash.
Players from both sides know one another well, since they play together on the national hardball team, hence this female contest, which bowls off at 17:00hrs, is a must-see for softball fans and enthusiasts alike.
West Indies wicketkeeper/batter and national skipper June Ogle-Thomas will lead Trophy Stall Angels’ charge, backed by fellow West Indies fast bowler Tremayne Smartt, along with national middle-order batter Kavita Yadram and Heema Singh.
For Mike’s Wellwoman, Abena Parker, Joann Van Sertima, Zola Telford and Amanda Bobb-Semple will be looking to stop Trophy Stall Angels and hand their team a much-deserved victory.
The day’s action will culminate with a gigantic clash in the Male Open category final, as arch rivals and 2012 GT&T 10/10 champions Regal XI match strides with 2011 GT&T champions Wolf Warriors in what can best be described as a battle of the ‘Softball Giants’.
On the local scene, three softball teams, namely Regal XI, Wolf Warriors and Trophy Stall are household names, with any of the three making the final two of any tournament. Hence like the female final, players from both sides would be familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Safraz Esau, Richard Latiff, Troy Kippins, Ricky Sargeant and Chien Gittens are a few of the key players who will be donning the green and yellow for Regal XI, while West Demerara-based Wolf Warriors lineup will look to Amit Rai, Greg Singh, Azad Azeez and Dananand Singh to come out on top and trump their Georgetown opponents.
Another interesting factor to look at in this matchup is that Regal were the inaugural runners-up in the GFSCA ‘Guyana Softball Cup’ tournament, while Wolf Warriors were the 2013 runners-up in the said tournament that was won by Trophy Stall.
There will be live commentary on the ground, musical entertainment, lots of beverages and food on sale, while an admission fee of $200 will be charged and paid parking of $500 is available inside the ground at the eastern end.
Softball fans and enthusiasts are asked to come out in their numbers and enjoy the games under the newly installed lights at the venue, even as the Chinese group travelling worldwide in RV will make a visit during the games.
By Calvin Roberts