(From Frederick Halley in New York)
ARCHRIVALS Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) and Regal Masters will clash in today’s final of the New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) Legends Cup at the Roy Wilkins Park, Queens here.

Billed as the two heavyweights, both gained final berths with unblemished records when the preliminary rounds and semi-finals concluded at Carnarsie Park, Brooklyn yesterday to set up an all-Guyanese affair and a repeat of last year’s Guyana Softball Cup final which saw Regal Masters emerging as the champions. GFSCA are however the defending Legends Cup champions.
In yesterday’s semi-finals, GFSCA made light work of New York President’s XI, winning by six wickets while Regal Masters defeated NYSCL Legends by 82 runs in a one-sided affair.
Winning the toss and taking first strike, NY President’s XI were restricted to an inadequate 117 for eight in their allotted 20 overs with Joseph Pitam (35) and Zakeer BACCHUS (26) offering token resistance.
GFSCA raced to 123 for four in 14.5 overs with the consistent Jagdesh Persaud slamming three sixes and three fours in an unbeaten 38 while Lloyd Rooplall supported with 25.
In the other semi-final, Regal Masters blasted 206 for nine in their allotted 20 overs with Mahase Chunilall leading the way with a fine 68 which included two sixes and five fours while Eon Abel (34), Eric Thomas (28) and Fazleem Mohamed (27) were the other principal scorers.
NYSCL Legends could onluy muster 124 all out in 16.2 overs with numbers 10 and 11 refusing to enter the crease. Ravi Sahadeo hit 38 while Sudesh Persaud was undefeated on 23.
The final preliminary round games saw GFSCA winning from Brooklyn/Queens Legends by seven wickets and Regal Masters getting past New York Muslims Sports Club by eight wicketrs with Rudolph Baker spanking a quickfire unbeaten 43.
Matches in the Open category were contested in Queens but results weren’t available up to press time.