REGION Four surged to victory in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, National Sports Commission-sponsored Janet Jagan Memorial Circle Tennis Female competition, which was held last week at the D’Urban Park tarmac.
Initially, the event was expected to attract four regions, but Region Five did not field a team.
Regions Three, Four and Six were at the event, which was organised by Sports Officers A. Munroe and Deon Carew and officially declared open by Assistant Director of Sport, Melissa Dow Richardson.
In the opening clash of the 50-delivery round-robin event, Region Four won the toss and batted first. Peggy Wade and her opening teammate Allison Weeks set the tone of the clash by scoring 202 for the opening wicket.
In total, the side registered 208-1 in their allotted deliveries.
Wade struck ten sixes in her 74, while Weeks smashed five sixes in an even 50.
In reply, Region Six were restricted to 159-3 in their allotted deliveries. Shauntay Bacchus led the visiting side with a top score of 61 (8×6).
Region Six lost their second clash when they faced Region Three.
Region Six won the toss and took to the circle first. They scored 151-4 with Keyoka Cort hitting 52 (7×6) and Wilma Alexander 25.
In reply, Region Three, led by Temica Wilson, reached 160-4. Wilson blasted nine sixes in a top score of 79. Eboni Ross added 29.
With Region Three and Region Four both registering opening victories, their clash was the virtual final of the event.
Region Four batted first in the final. Led by Christine King and player-of-the-competition, Wade, they were able to amass 234-5. King struck eight sixes in her 66, while Wade supported with 56 (5×6). Samantha Porter chipped in with 34.
In reply, Region Three could only reach 170-0 before their deliveries ran out. Wilson scored six sixes in her 41, while Sherlena Henry added 27.
Meanwhile, Trevor Fraser was presented with a special award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the sport. He is one of the few persons who would have played circle tennis before the Guyana Games era and is still active in the game.
