…End Ariel Knight Riders three-year reign

By Frederick Halley

SPEEDBOAT ended the three-year consecutive reign of Guyana Ariel Knight Riders, inflicting a 46-run defeat on their opponents in the Open All Stars category when the eighth edition of the Prime Minister’s T20 softball tournament climaxed at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary last Sunday.
The victory marked Speedboat’s fourth in the tournament following their wins in the first two years (2017 and 2018) and in 2020 when they defeated defending champions Regal All Stars by 31 runs at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

Led by a brilliant 79 from seasoned campaigner Safraz Esau, the boys from the “west side” reached a formidable 226 for six in their allotted 20 overs before restricting the defending champions, who were missing the services of the hard-hitting Quinton Sampson due to Inter-county commitment, to 186 for nine when their overs expired.

The left-handed Esau, who smashed 11 fours and four sixes, shared in an entertaining fourth-wicket partnership of 85 with Ameer Yusuf who struck one four and three sixes in his 30.
Opener Navin Singh had earlier laid a solid foundation at the top with a splendid 35 which contained two fours and three sixes while Frankie Satrohan contributed a quick-fire 32, clearing the boundary on four occasions.
Keyon Sinclair was Ariel Knight Riders best bowler with two for 35 while there was one wicket each for Vishal Phillips, Andy Fernandes, Chandrasekar Arjune and skipper Eon Hooper.

Despite being given a flying start of 56 in just over four overs from openers Travis Drakes and Shauz Grovesnor, both hitting 33, Ariel Knight Riders failed to capitalise, losing wickets at regular intervals with only Vishal Phillips (25) offering any resistance in the middle and lower-order.
Drakes’ knock included a four and four sixes while his opening partner Grovesnor struck Captain a four and three sixes.

Wazeer Hussain was the chief destroyer with the brilliant figures of five for 31 from his four overs while Asif Husman supported with two for 32.
The winners “sped away” with the hefty first prize of $600,000. and a trophy while the runners-up got $100,000. and a trophy.

Esau, who was easily adjudged player of the final, also received a trophy while Sampson, who completed a fine all-round effort up the semi-final stages of the tournament, was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the category, copping an electric scooter, compliments of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre.

All the trophies were sponsored by Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall who also donated the Supreme balls for the women’s category.
In an invited comment, manager of Ariel Knight Riders, Ariel Persaud said his charges are confident of bouncing back in the upcoming Vice-President tournament, slated to be staged on the weekend of November 8-10.
Persaud however gave credit to Speedboat, pointing out that “they outplayed us in all departments.” He described Speedboat and Ariel Knight Riders as the two top teams in the country.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson deputised for Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who was unavoidably absent, at the impressive presentation ceremony. He was accompanied by Assistant Director of Sport, Franklyn Wilson.
GSCL President, while thanking the numerous sponsors for their contribution, gave special props to Banks DIH’s Outdoor Events Manager Mortimer Stewart and his crew for their services during the final day of the tournament and to Water Beverage Manager Colin King for his gesture in providing “rainforest” water for the entire tournament.

The tournament was once again organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.