By Frederick Halley

GUYANA Knight Riders Ariel All Stars are still unbeaten in their third year of participation in the Open All Stars category of the Prime Minister’s T20 softball tournament.
The tournament climaxed at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground after midnight on Sunday with Prime Minister Mark Phillips in attendance.
In another clinical display, the youthful Ariel All Stars outfit defeated opponents Regal All Stars by five wickets to claim their third title in as many years.
Led by a matured knock of 77 not out from National One-day player Quentin Sampson and some exceptional fielding, the defending champions only needed 14 overs to reach the required 174 for victory after limiting Ariel All Stars to 173 for nine in their allotted 20 overs.

Sampson, who earlier in the day represented Essequibo against the Guyana Cricket Board Select X1 at Bourda in the ongoing Inter- County 50-over tournament, still found the energy to compete in the game and led his team to a comprehensive victory.
The hard-hitting right-hander strolled to the crease following the dismissal of the experienced Zamal Khan in the second over with the score on 24 and was somewhat subdued at the start of his innings.

Opener Bryan Mangar was, however, at his fluent best, stroking three fours and two sixes in his 31. In the meantime, Sampson, who thumped a record 28 sixes in an unbeaten 225 in the semi-final the previous day versus Name Brand at the Queen’s College ground, bided his time to perfection before exploding in the 14th over, slamming Sewchand Budhu for 27 to finish the game in grand style. His brilliant innings was decorated with five fours and eight sixes. Delroy Perreira bagged two for 19 and Rohit Dutchin two for 41.
Earlier, Regal All Stars, who were asked to take first strike, found themselves in disarray with some indifferent running between the wickets, complimented by brilliant fielding by Ariel All Stars which saw them losing three of their first five wickets via the run out route.

Staring down the barrel at 31 for five in the sixth over, Regal All Stars were rescued by a fine 112-run sixth wicket partnership between Riccardo Polaram (82) and Budhu (39 not out). Polaram slammed nine fours and three sixes in his fine knock while Budhu’s innings contained four fours. Keyon Sinclair and Johnatan Fernandes took two 27 and 41 respectively.
The winning team carted off $600,000, a trophy and medals for all the players while the runners-up collected $50,000 and a trophy. Sampson was adjudged player of the final and also MVP of the Open category, taking home a 50-inch television for the latter, compliments of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre. All the trophies were sponsored by Trophy Stall.
Prime Minister Phillips congratulated all the participating teams, pointing out that there were no losers, referring to all the players who took part in the seventh edition of the tournament as winners.

The Prime Minister also gave kudos to the organisers, the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc for a well-run tournament and to the several sponsors who came on board. He assured that preparations are already in train for next year’s three-day extravaganza.