…Speaker’s Cup ends on resounding note

REGAL Masters held their nerves to emerge winners of the Masters Over-40 category when the first-ever Speaker’s Cup ended in dramatic fashion and on a resounding note at the Everest Cricket Club ground on Monday.

Needing nine runs in the last over to claim the title, before enthusiastic spectators, Ariel Masters, who were previously unbeaten in the three-day tournament, were left high and dry on 141 for seven, in quest of 143 for victory, going down by the dreaded one run. With three needed off the last ball, Deyon Wallace, in a mad chase for the winning runs, was left stranded, prompting wild celebrations from Ariel Masters.

The victory allowed the Campbellville based club to cart off both titles after the Legends Over-50 side had earlier made light work of Vapes Guyana in a one-sided final and also avenged a defeat to Ariel Masters in the first round on Saturday.

Despite losing the wicket of former Guyana opener Azeemul Haniff (nine) in the first over, the consistent Rawle Reid (39) and Danraj Singh (22) revived the innings with 38-run second-wicket partnership. However, Singh was forced to retire hurt.

Reid, who slammed two fours and an equal number of sixes, kept the innings together before departing in the 17th over. He received valuable support from Patrick Khan (16), Anand Nazamadeen (13) and skipper Samuel Kingston (10) but none of them stayed long enough to take their team over the ropes. In the end, the nine needed in the last over, proved elusive.

Lakeram Roopnarine finished with three for 30, Roy Persaud two for 26 and Tyrone Sanasie one for 23.

Earlier, Regal Masters, who won the toss and opted to take first strike, were given a rousing start of 64 in 6.2 overs by Prashad Mahadeo (38) and Patrick Rooplall (27) before stuttering in the middle overs to end on 142 for eight in their allotted 20. The left-handed Mahadeo struck five fours while Rooplall’s knock contained one four and two sixes.

Roy Persaud smashed two fours and six in a quick-fire 20 off 13 balls while there were useful contributions from Khemchand Dindial (19) and skipper Eyaaz Mohamed (12). Reid bagged three for 30 while there was one wicket apiece for Nazamadeen, Shawn Hubbard, Mark Harold and Kingston.

At the presentation, which followed, winners Regal Masters took home $250 000 and a trophy and Ariel Masters $100 000 and a trophy. Incentive prizes of $25 000 and a trophy each went to Rawle Reid for scoring the most runs (218), Tyrone Sanasie for taking the most wickets (nine) and player of the final, Roy Persaud. Umpires Mark Ernest, Patrick Edwards, Albert Dass, Nadir Baksh and Linden Matthews also received tokens of appreciation.

The Regal teams dedicated their wins to long-standing supporter Vanburn Jones, popularly known as “Pangiso,” who suffered a stroke but was present to witness both finals.

While Regal Masters captain Eyaaz Mohamed was elated with the victory and had special praise for player-of-the-match Roy Persaud, Ariel Masters leader Kingston was very disappointed, pointing out that it was a bitter pill to swallow.