4 R Lioness to open defence against Police at Lusignan
DEFENDING champions 4 R Lioness will open their campaign in this year’s Prime Minister’s Cup softball tournament against Police when the women’s category of this year’s extravaganza bowls off at the Lusignan Community Centre ground next Thursday, September 28.
The opening fixture, in the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc organised tournament, which is scheduled to get underway at 9.30 am, is one of four among the eight competing teams which will be played simultaneously at the East Coast venue on the national holiday.
The other games will see Invaders clashing with Arrowhead Strikers, Crabwood Creek Rising Stars battling with Highway Challengers and Kuru Kuru Panthers opposing Number 64 Knight Riders.

Following a lunch break, the four winners will vie for a place in Sunday’s final in two semi-final showdowns, set to commence at 1.30 pm. Winners of game one meet winners of game two while the game three winners come to grips with the winners of game four. The final is set for the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, Queenstown.
A notable absentee in this year’s tournament is last year’s inaugural runners-up Trophy Stall Angels, who lost to 4 R Lioness, the latter winning convincingly by nine wickets in their 12-over affair, played at the Guyana National Stadium.

Chasing 101 for victory, after limiting Trophy Stall Angels to 100, 4 R Lioness achieved the required target in 9.4 overs with Tamica Wilson (40 not out) and Amanda DeFreitas (23) sharing an opening stand of 85.
This year’s winners are assured of $300 000, an increase of $100 000 from last year’s prize while the runners-up are guaranteed $25 000. The player of the final will receive a trophy while the player of the tournament will be rewarded with a 32” Smart TV. Unlike the three men categories (Open, Over-40 and Over-50) which will see the use of Trophy Stall balls, the women will compete with Supreme balls.

Meanwhile, the stage is set for the bowl off the men’s categories (Open, Over-40 and Over-50) on Friday, September 29 at various venues around Georgetown and East Coast. The draw for these categories will take place on Sunday at the DCC pavilion, starting at noon and all participating teams are asked to send representatives to observe the proceedings. A meet and greet is also planned for the afternoon of Wednesday, September 26 at the same venue.
The GSCL Inc organised tournament, which is in its seventh year, has the blessings of the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. (Frederick Halley)