By Frederick Halley

REGAL Legends returned to winning ways after failing to capture a major tournament since their success in last year’s inaugural Vice-president T20 Softball Cup tournament, easing to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Jai Hind in the final of the second edition, organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) in collaboration with title sponsors Regal Stationery & Computer Centre.
The three-day extravaganza climaxed at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, on Sunday.

The victory was a reversal of their loss to the same opponents in the final of the eighth edition of the Prime Minister’s T20 softball tournament, played at the same venue last month.
Set 169 for victory, after the Berbicians had reached a respectable 168 for seven in their allotted 20 overs, Regal Legends achieved the feat in 18.5 overs.

The victory was engineered by a fine undefeated third-wicket partnership between Eon Abel and Rudolph Baker, who were 51 and 50 respectively when Regal Legends earned a well-deserved win.
Abel, who opened the innings, was joined by Baker with Regal in a spot of bother on 66 for two in the eighth over, having lost the wickets of skipper Uniss Yusuf for 37, which included three fours and three sixes and Jagdesh Persaud for 10.
Mixing aggression with solid defence, the pair gradually took the initiative from the Jai Hind bowlers who seemed to wilt under the pressure.

Abel, who played some exquisite cover drives, counted six fours in his knock while Baker’s 50 was spiced with five fours and three sixes. Richard Kellowan took both wickets, conceding 22 runs in the process.
Earlier, Lloyd Ruplall continued his fine showing in the tournament, falling short of a half-century, his 49 including three fours and four sixes.
Skipper Vejai Seonarine, a former national player, supported with 35 (four fours and a six), while Zakier Ali made 24 (three fours).

Wayne Jones bowled impressively to claim two for 17 while a limping Roy Persaud grabbed two for 29 and Nadram Samlall one for 19.
Regal Legends took home the winners’ cash prize of $500, 000 and the winners’ troph,y while runners-up Jai Hind collected $300, 000 and the runners-up trophy.

Man-of-the-match Baker was awarded with a trophy while Most Valuable Player Uniss Yusuf, who registered 340 runs and took six wickets up the semi-final stage, rode away with a motorcycle, compliments of Regal Stationery & Computer Centre.
In last Saturday’s semi-final encounters, Regal Legends defeated Parika Defenders in a close contest, played at the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) ground, while Jai Hind won easily from Aash Décor at Police.

Parika Defenders batted first and made 222 for six with Oswald Chandla slamming 56. Regal got to the required score with five balls to spare, losing two wickets in the process. Skipper Yusuf (57), Baker (56 not out) Abel (49 not out) led the way for the winners.
Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall fame donated several of the trophies which were up for grabs.

Both Vice-president Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson witnessed the closing stages of two of the games – the Masters Over-50 and the Open All Stars categories and also officiated in the presentation ceremony.