By Frederick Halley

REGAL Legends shrugged off a first-round defeat at the hands of Parika Legends by
inflicting a four-wicket victory over the same opponents when the final of the
Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc Republic Softball Tournament,
held to commemorate Guyana’s 55th republic anniversary celebrations,
climaxed at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, yesterday.

After their first-round win on the opening day and with subsequent victories over
Prime Insurance and Asah Décor, Parika Legends entered the over-50 final
brimming with confidence but were let down by their batsmen after being asked to
take first strike.
The players from East Bank Essequibo however fought tooth and nail, with Regal
Legends, aided by some 31 wides and a stubborn undefeated 30 from Nandram
Samlall, reached the required 112 for six in 18 overs, winning with two overs to
spare.

Samlall, who stroked a solitary four in his innings, also received solid support from
Rudolph Baker who slammed two sixes in a quick-fire 20 while no other batter
reached double figures.

Bowling for Parika Defenders, Davenand Kanaan took two for 13, Ramo Malone
two for 33 and Kabesh Persaud two for 33.
Earlier, Parika Legends were tottering on 32 for five in the seventh over after a
terrible start, losing the prized scalps of their leading run-scorer Dubraj Singh
among the players dismissed, for just six in the second over.

It took a herculean effort from the experienced Ramo Malone and a defiant Kabesh
Persaud, who shared a 53-run sixth-wicket partnership to bring some respectability
to the total. Malone struck five fours and a six in a top score of 47, while Persaud hit
an invaluable 13.

Skipper Uniss Yusuf led from the front with four for 17, a feat that deservedly
earned him the player-of-the-match award, while Stanley Mohabir supported with
two for 18 and Surujdeo Ramdin two for 25.

The winning Regal Legends players took home the first prize of $200,000 and a
trophy while the runners-up collected $50,000 and the runners-up trophy. All the
trophies were sponsored by Trophy Stall through the generosity of its proprietor
Ramesh Sunich.

Apart from Trophy Stall, the other sponsors include Regal Stationery & Computer
Centre, Ofimak Office Supplies of Panama, of which Regal are the sole distributors
of its office supplies, ARD YouTuber, Price Chopper, Khan’s Trading Enterprise,
Elegance Jewelry & Pawn Shop, Terminex Pest Control – Better Hope, East Coast
Demerara, Lucky Star Trading and Derick’s Variety Store.