GSCL Inc Republic Cup….Regal Masters overcome Mike’s Wellman to claim Masters’ heavyweight title -Latif century hands Regal All stars Open title, Ariel claim over 40 crown
Mar 06, 2018 , https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...claim-over-40-crown/
By Zaheer Mohamed
Regal Masters and All stars with their hard ware. (Zaheer Mohamed photo)
Regal Masters, Regal All stars and Ariel were crowned champions of their respective categories when the curtains came down on the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc annual Republic Cup on Sunday last at Malteenoes Sports Club.
In what was billed as the battle of the Masters heavyweights, Regal Masters defeated Mike’s Wellman by three wickets in an exciting contest in front a fair-size crowd.
Regal Masters were largely indebted to Mahendra Hardyal, Mahase Chunilall and Shaheed Mohamed as they successfully chased 176, ending on 180-7 in 18 overs.
Batting first, Mike’s Wellman lost Unnis Yusuf (02) and Greg De Franca (01) to be reduced to 9-2 before Jagdesh Persaud and Lloyd Ruplall resurrected the innings with a third wicket stand of 79. Persaud hit three fours and a similar number of sixes before he was dismissed for 35 before Ruplall added a further 76 with Wayne Jones. Ruplall timed the ball well smashing two fours and seven sixes in a top score of 64, while Jones remained unbeaten on 32 with two fours and two sixes as Mike’s Wellman lost six wickets in the process. Motielall Chumundatt claimed 2-15 and Saheed Mohamed had 2-37.
Ejaz Mohamed
Hardyal and Chunilall handed Regal Masters a solid start as they put on 60 for the opening stand before Chunilall was dismissed for 35 after hitting one four and four sixes. David Harper soon followed for three before Hardyal added 25 along with Mohendra Arjune who struck two fours and two sixes in scoring 25. Eric Thomas was then dismissed without scoring as Mike’s Wellman fought back. However, Hardyal produced a scintillating knock to keep his team in the hunt. The right-handed Hardyal displayed immense concentration as he mixed aggression with solid defence executing some handsome drives on both sides of the pitch. Hardyal reached the boundary thrice and cleared it four times before he was caught by Jagdesh Persaud for 41. Regal Masters then loss Eon Abel cheaply but Saheed Mohamed and Fazleem Mohamed took their team home with sensible batting. Man-of-the-match Saheed Mohamed started off slowly but blossomed to hit three sixes in his unbeaten 37, while Fazleem Mohamed made 15 not out as Hardat Heeranandan picked up 2-44.
Richard Latif (left) accepts his team’s prize from GSCL Inc President Ian John. (Zaheer Mohamed photo)
Ariel defeated Success Masters by seven wickets in the over 40 final. Batting first Success Masters managed 102-9 in 20 overs. Hackim Majeed made 29 including two fours and one six, while Baldeo Muller got 26 (2×4, 2×6); Dharam Persaud claimed 3-23 and Peter Persaud 2-22. Ariel responded with 103-3 in 10.5 overs. Ejaz Mohamed, who was voted man-of-the-match, clobbered two fours and four sixes in a top score of 43, while Rocky Ali made 22 (1×4, 2×6). Raymond Karim had 1-2.
In the Open final, Regal All stars beat Success All stars by 77 runs. Led by an attacking century from Richard Latif, Regal All stars rattled up 251-5 in 20 overs. Latif and Sachin Singh handed Regal All stars a decent start with a stand 54 before Singh went for 24. Latif took the bowling apart with some lusty hitting as he dominated a second wicket stand of 51 with Navin Singh who only made five in the stand. Latif slammed three fours and 11 sixes before he eventually fell for 109. Kumar Bishundial made 49 not out with one four and five sixes, while Sewchand Budhu got 31 (5×6) and Patrick Rooplall 17 not out. Diyaram Ramnauth took 2-12.
Ariel’s Mohamed Rafeek receives his team’s hardware.
Nandsham Budhoo and Chien Gittens gave Success All stars a fair start as they put on 42 for the first wicket before Sachin Singh handed Regal All stars the breakthrough when he had Budhoo caught for 16. Gittens struck one four and three sixes but when he departed for 27, Success All stars then lost a few quick wickets to be at 51-5. But Toraj Preniraj and Devendra Deosarran repaired the damage somewhat with an entertaining partnership of 78. Preniraj smashed eight sixes in a top score of 51 off 16 balls before he was bowled by Privnauth Motielall who also removed Deosarran for 17 as Regal All stars tightened their grip on the match. Diyaram Ramnauth scored 34 not out with three fours and two sixes as Success All stars ended on 174-9. Sewchand Budhu captured 3-31, Motielall 2-8 and Kumar Bishundial 2-13. Latif was named man-of-the-match.