SVC/AJM CC produced a dominant, star-studded performance at the Enmore Community Centre Ground to claim the Georgetown/East Coast Demerara zone title and seal their place in the National Finals of the Lotto/Let’s Bet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast.
Facing off against a formidable Avinash All-Stars outfit in the zonal final, SVC/AJM registered a crushing 87-run victory to cap off an intense leg of the tournament.
Batting first, SVC/AJM posted a massive 134 for 7 in their allotted 10 overs, headlined by a blistering 64 from Jonathan Fernandes.
Kemol Savory provided crucial top-order support with a brisk 24, while Carlos LaRose was the pick of the Avinash bowlers with figures of 2 for 25.
The run-chase, however, never got off the ground. A ruthless bowling display from SVC/AJM, then the star-studded Avinas All-Stars line-up, for a paltry 47-9, with Kadeem Alleyne’s nine runs the top score.
Ojay Shields (2 for 10), Miguel Cummins (2 for 11), and Leon Swamy (2 for 24) shared six wickets to deliver a total shutdown.
SVC/AJM’s route to the final was equally clinical. In the first semi-final, they comfortably chased down Pure Entertainment’s 94 for 3 with seven wickets to spare.
Tevin Imlach had earlier anchored Pure Entertainment with a top score of 49 alongside contributions from Earl Gilkes (17) and Raphael Frank (10), while Nial Smith grabbed 2 for 11. In response, Savory anchored the chase with an unbeaten 45*, supported by Jonte Thomas (24) and Safraz Esau (18*), as SVC/AJM reached 95 for 3 within their 10 overs.
The second semi-final provided far more drama as Avinash All-Stars edged Team Corruption by 14 runs. Powered by a sparkling, unbeaten 70 from Kyle Mayers and 28 from Alleyne, Avinash reached 130 for 6 despite Kevin Sinclair’s 3 for 45 and Akim Chandler’s 2 for 22.
Team Corruption mounted a spirited reply through Treatlon Liverpool (35), Dejourn Charles (15), and Sinclair (14), but Carlos LaRose held his nerve under pressure to defend 20 runs off the final over, holding Team Corruption to 116 for 5.
For their zonal victory, SVC/AJM CC walked away with $500,000 courtesy of Navin and Sons Construction, along with the coveted ticket to Essequibo.
Runners-up Avinash All-Stars pocketed $200,000 compliments of Camille’s Academy, while losing semi-finalists received $50,000 courtesy of OGN Group Inc. Saturday’s losing quarter-finalists were awarded $25,000 each courtesy of Scoop Ride Inc.
The action now shifts to the Anna Regina National Stadium on October 11 for the grand National Finals, where an additional winning purse of $2 million for the champions, $1 million for the runners-up, and $500,000 each for the losing semi-finalists will be up for grabs.
Semi-final one kicks off at 14:30h between GrillMaster Sip N Play All-Stars and Mahdia (Movements Family), followed by SVC/AJM CC taking on Lusignan Bulls DTP II at 16:30h.
A six-over women’s exhibition match between Tapakuma (Elite Warriors) and Capoey United will set the stage at 18:30h before the final takes place under lights at 19:30h.
Admission to the venue is free, though organisers have noted a strict no-cooler policy.
