…cart off PM T20 Softball Cup Legends and Masters titles

By Frederick Halley
IT was billed as a grudge match and the battle of the two top teams in the Over-45 category of this year’s Prime Minister T20 Softball Cup. In the end, it turned out to be a damp squib as defending champions Regal Masters made light work of Mike’s Wellman in yesterday’s final, played at the Everest Cricket Club ground, Camp Road, Georgetown.

Watched by hundreds of spectators on a brilliant day for cricket, Mike’s Wellman were skittled for a disappointing 83 in 19.5 overs. Regal Masters, through a fine 51 from the consistent Ramesh Deonarine, raced to the required target off 13.1 overs, winning their third consecutive title in the process. Yesterday’s victory followed a similar win over Wellman last year in a much closer final.

Regal Masters lost opener Yuniss Usuff for one in the second over with only eight runs on the board. However, any hopes Wellman had of defending a small total were dashed by Deonarine and Khemchandra Dindial who added 74 for the second wicket before the former departed with just eight needed for victory.

The left-handed Deonarine’s knock included four fours and two sixes while Dindial was undefeated on 22 (two fours) when victory was achieved. Clyde Canterbury took one for 12 from three overs and Greg DeFranka one for 22 from four.

Asked to take first strike, Mike’s Wellman’s innings never got going as wickets fell at regular intervals while the run rate was also stagnant. Opener Lloyd Ruplall (23), Nandram Samlall 19) and skipper Wayne Jones (14) were the only players to reach double figures as Lawrie Singh bowled brilliantly to finish with three for 11. He received great support from Bobby Parasnauth (three for 12) and Dindial three for 17.

Deonarine was adjudged man-of-the-match and also copped the Most Valuable Player award for the Over-45 category. His winnings included a 32-inch television, a trophy and $10,000.

Regal Masters took home the grand prize of $500,000 and the winner’s trophy while runners-up Wellman received $100 000 and a trophy. Players from both teams were also recipients of medals.

In the Legends Over-50 final, played earlier in the morning, an emphatic opening partnership of 126 by Veerapen Moonsammy (63) and Mahesh Chunlall (61 not out) enabled Regal Legends to register an emphatic nine-wicket victory over New York President’s XI to cart off the inaugural title.

Chasing the visitors 139 for six, Regal Legends achieved the required target with five overs to spare in the 20-over affair with left-handed man-of-the-match Moonsammy slamming seven fours and a six before he was dismissed with just 14 needed for a commanding win.
The experienced Chunilall, who was accompanied by Lynden Lyght (five not out) at the end, struck three fours and a six as the President’s XI bowlers toiled in sunny conditions without success. The lone wicket went to Dharam “Wadekar” Persaud who’s lone over cost nine runs.

Earlier, President’s XI were given a positive start of 55 in eight overs by openers Dennis Mangroo (33) and Mohamed Rafeek (30) after being asked to take first strike.

The middle-order however failed to maintain the momentum with only Roger Mattar bolstering the innings with a well-played 50 with five fours and a six. In the end, the 139 proved inadequate. Eon “Rapper” Abel took two for 20 and Parsram Persaud one for 19. Two run outs also didn’t help their cause.

The win guaranteed Regal Legends $300,000 while New York President’s XI received $100,000 for their efforts. Man-of-the-match Moonsammy collected $10,000 and a trophy while players from both teams were adorned with medals.

Up to press time, the main feature of the day’s exciting programme, the Open final, between Regal All Stars and SVC Grill Masters was in progress following a female’s exhibition game which saw Wonderwoman’s XI and Factory Price Divas battling for supremacy.

A win by Regal All Stars would guarantee them all three titles in the third edition of the Prime Minister T20 Softball Cup. Two-time defending champions Speedboat were eliminated yesterday after failing to reach the semi-finals via net run rate.