Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
Regal win Legends category at GSCL Inc Prime Minister’s T20 Softball Cup
Kaieteur Sports – Another powerful all-round performance by Regal which enabled them to win the 2023 Prime Minister’s Softball Cup Legends category against New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL).
Playing last Sunday at the Demerara Cricket Club ground in Queenstown, Georgetown, the Regal Legends outfit surpassed the 180 from the allotment of 20-overs set by the Americans.
Regal achieved victory with 30 balls remaining as they continued to hit headlines in this over-50 category for the past few years.
It was another demonstration of their invincibility as they kept winning championships after championships, both locally and overseas.
Even as recent as last year, they rolled over the same opponents utilizing the psychological advantage on this occasion.
In pursuit of the target, Regal suffered an early blow losing Mohindra Arjune for seven but Yuniss Usuf and the gifted softball player Ramesh Narine quickly associated in a steady, 93-run stand to restore the innings.
Usuf, who had a memorable tournament having accumulated the most runs 356, once again spearheaded the chase by knocking a responsible 68.
Regal Legends celebrate.
Narine was equally brilliant and ensured his innings of 66 not out proved instrumental.
Both caressed a number of boundaries with consummate ease. The pitch was ideal for batting and the lightning fast-outfield, enticed stroke-plays.
They were probably inspired to play stubborn cricket as well as a whopping $1M first prize at stake.
Earlier, NYSCL called correctly at the toss and opted to bat. The innings had an early wobble but Quayam Farooq struck a top-score of 50. Some decent contributions came from Jagdeo Persaud with 35, Ricky Edwards with 21 and 20 from Tony Fernandes.
Skipper and the experienced Mahendra Hardyal finished with 3-33 from his four maximum overs. He started the attack with Rickey Persaud, who received some belting despite being stingy upfront.
At the post-match presentation, Regal also collected a trophy while NYSCL was the recipient of $50,000 and a trophy. Player-of-the-match Narine was given a trophy too for scoring that vital half-century and picking up a solitary wicket. Usuf deservedly named the player-of-the-series. His highest score was 193 not out in a preliminary round.
Ten teams featured in the Legends, eight in the masters’ category which was won by Regal Over-40 side while Ariel glorified themselves with the All-Stars Opening category trophy having challenged five other teams. For the Ladies, 4R Lioness emerged champions in their eight-team knockout competition but details from those matches in a subsequent post.
Over $3M were up for grabs and the 3-day softball extravaganza was hosted by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
The Honourable Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips declared the tournament open on Friday at Eve Leary ground also in Georgetown.
He graced the occasion on Sunday but only witnessed the All-Stars Opening category championship encounter that took place under floodlights.
This year marks the 7th edition. Trophies were sponsored by Trophy Stall of Bourda Market with location in Markham, Ontario, Canada.
Usuf received a one-piece Sofa Set for his sterling batting effort, compliments of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre.
- Demerara Cricket Club, Mohindra Arjune, New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL), Prime Minister, Yuniss Usuf
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