Singh slams 116 for Platinum Jaguars; Mahaica Raiders’ Marvin Babb hits 115
THE battles are getting warmer with each passing weekend in the 3rd GT&T 10/10 nationwide softball cricket tourney as players and teams compete with their main focus on the very attractive prizes and other incentives at stake this year. What is clear in the matches that have been played on the second weekend of action around Guyana is the fact that there is very little room for error. A number of the favourite teams, both male and female, have been kayoed with a few new and emerging teams staking a claim for the podium spots.
Following is a round-up of matches played in Lethem, Port Mourant, Mahaica, East Bank and Essequibo.
In Lethem: Platinum Jaguars Seniors who qualified in 2011 for the Super-16 stage were again impressive as they qualified from that Zone when they hammered Puma XI by 133 runs. Dahram Singh slammed 116 (10×6 10×4) featuring in a partnership of 205 with Albert Duncan who scored 91 (8×6 8×4) combining to knock the wind out of the sails of Puma XI.
In reply, Puma XI were reduced to 100-6 in their 10 overs. Dwayne Frank, opening the bowling and sending down some thunderbolts which were unplayable, took 2-2 in 2 overs.
Platinum Jaguars eased their way into the final when they defeated Tabatinga Hi Flyers by 88 runs, led by their skipper Albert Duncan who stroked 28 and took 3-15 from 2 overs.
At the Helena Ground: The GT&T and Guyana Softball League teams witnessed some exhilarating play. Rising Stars XI of Ann’s Grove won the zone by defeating Regal Mahaica Queens by 9 wickets; Diane Prescott scoring 37 not out to lead the way.
In the male category, Mahaica Raiders, a Super-16 qualifier last year, dominated Victoria Warriors by 116 runs with Marvin Babb opening the batting and hitting the No. 3 and No. 4 bowlers for 9 sixes in the three overs between them. Babb hit 115 decorated with 15 sixes.
Victoria Warriors were sent packing for 65; Marlon Williams took 4-4 from 2 overs.
On the East Bank of Demerara: The highest scorer of the competition to date, Farm XI, easily made it through and so did Rapid Fire who were led by an exhilarating bowling performance from Shaheed Mohamed (6-1 in 2 overs) which included a helmet-trick. They disposed of Upsetters Cricket team.
On the Lower East Coast: Rockaway Auto Sales and El Commandante  XI lived up to their reputation as seasoned campaigners so did Trophy Stall ‘B’ who all made it through to the third round.
At the Port Mourant Ground: Some very close games highlighted the day’s play. Universal Solutions Tigers scraped to the next round while on the Upper Corentyne, Race Course SC, Unstoppable, Corriverton All Stars and Fighting Marines all made it through to set up an intriguing third-round of play.
The female combination team, playing as Albion Tigers, defeated Karibee Rice Stars easily. The girls from Albion Tigers displayed excellent technique in batting and fielding, backed up with admirable discipline as they impressed all by winning their semi-final against more seasoned opponents.
In New Amsterdam: Karibee ‘A’ team, Strikers, won to take revenge against their ‘B’ team.
In Essequibo: South Zone’s Shannon Jagmohan enjoyed a good weekend by clobbering 108 on Saturday while snapping up 5-7 from 2 overs on Sunday.
Other teams advancing are: Invaders Masters, El Dorado Sports Club, and Adventure Knight Riders who won via  Super-Over by 10 runs after their game was tied at 157-6 after their 10 overs.
At Charity: In the female category Mora United won the Zone by defeating Charity Emeralds in the final. Meanwhile, faithful fans and supporters have been doing their thing off the field of play also, fuelled by the promotions of main sponsor GT&T.
At Port Mourant last Saturday and Helena Mahaica on Sunday, there were many giveaways and novelty games as the crowds were treated to exceptional hospitality by the GT&T team.
Fans were recipients of 10/10 jerseys, balls as well as 25% discount on BlackBerry phones, apart from being entertained by the famous Bluey Max and company.
On Sunday, many of the Mahaica fans exclaimed that it was the best day of their lives – going to a cricket venue where all the things that GT&T promised were on show including a shot of the SUV up for grabs in the texting game.
They were also brought up to date on the happenings in other zones as a means of information. The GT&T marketing team was also in the bauxite mining Town of Linden. The fans are enjoying all that the company is offering just for this tournament in the form of 25% discount on the BlackBerry phones.
The GT&T team will make their rounds to other areas as they continue to give back to the communities during the tournament. More information on the team’s itinerary will be given in later editions of the newspapers and television programmes.
GT&T is giving back to the communities and fans who have supported them over the years. In place is the texting game where fans can win an SUV after answering  the questions presented to them after texting in the numbers 620-3788 (FAN SUV).