DEFENDING champions 4 R Lioness will open their campaign in the 2024 Prime Minister’s Cup softball tournament against Invaders when the women’s category of this year’s extravaganza bowls off at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, Queenstown, on Thursday.
The opening fixture, in the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc. organised tournament, which is scheduled to get underway at 09.00 hours, is one of six among the 12 competing teams which will be played simultaneously at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) and Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO).

The other games will see KK Stars clashing with Swan Strikers, also at DCC in the other Group A fixture, Bankari Warriors opposing Circuitville Challengers at MYO and Highway Challengers battling Number 64 Knight Riders at GYO in Group B.
In Group C, Linden Rising Stars take on Parika Rising Stars while Supreme Stars come to grips with Arrowhead Strikers at GCC.

The respective morning winners will then battle in the afternoon matches which are slated to commence at 13:30 hours. Following those games, one of the three winners will advance to Sunday’s final by virtue of a bye while the other two will play a semi-final to determine the other team to qualify.
In last year’s final, played at DCC, 4R Lioness registered a comprehensive 44-run victory over Highway Challengers to retain championship honours after winning the inaugural final, played at the Guyana National Stadium in 2022. Last year’s victory was engineered by a brilliant 63 from skipper Temica Wilson.

Wilson, who was also the player of the match in the inaugural final, struck seven fours in her knock and received fine support from the experienced Joann Vansertima whose 36 was decorated with four-fours and a six and the consistent Shemeeza Abrams who contributed 30.
Wilson took the player of the match award for the second consecutive year while the Most Valuable Player award deservedly went to Abrams for her fine all-round performances during the tournament.

The winner of Sunday’s final, which will be played at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, will take home $200,000 and a trophy while the runner-up will collect $50, 000 and a trophy.
All the winning, runners-up and MVPs trophies for the entire tournament, which includes the men’s Open All Stars, Masters Over-40 and Legends Over-50 are being donated by Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall. (Frederick Halley)