4R Lioness retains championship

By Frederick Halley

4R lioness registered a comprehensive 44-run victory over Highway Challengers to retain championship honours in the women’s category of the seventh edition of the Prime Minister’s T20 softball tournament yesterday,
The tournament was played at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, Queenstown.

Led from the front by a brilliant 63 from skipper Temica Wilson, the defending champions who won the inaugural final, played at the Guyana National Stadium last year, brushed aside the challenge of newcomers, Highway Challengers, who stumbled to 119 for seven in their allotted 15 overs.

They were set a total of 164 for victory.
Wilson, who was also the player of the match in last year’s 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 went via the run out route for 30.

For the Highway side, Shelini Hossein finished with two for 17.
The Highway Challengers players, who hail from the Soesdyke/Linden Highway never seriously challenged the total, losing wickets at regular intervals.
Edwina Smith struck three fours and a six in a stubborn 30 but failed to receive any tangible support. Abrams, like she did in the preliminary match and semi-final, was again among the wickets, capturing two for 20 for the eventual winners.

Wilson took the player of the match award for the second consecutive year while the Most Valuable Player award deservedly went to Abrams.
The winners took home $300,000 and a trophy while the losers received $25,000 and a trophy.
The player of the final received a trophy while the player of the tournament was rewarded with a 32” Smart TV, compliments of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre.
All trophies for the entire tournament which included the men’s Open All Stars, Masters Over-40 and Legends Over-50 were donated by Trophy Stall.

Eight teams participated in the knockout tournament, an increase from the four from last year.
The other three finals, the Legends Over-50, Masters Over-40 and Open All Stars were also scheduled to be played at the same venue, the latter culminating under lights.