Die Hard XI and El Dorado XI were the latest teams to record victories in the Essequibo zone of the Guyana Softball League (GSL) organized Trophy Stall 15-Overs Countrywide Round Hand Softball Competition at the Perseverance ground.
Young Warriors exited the tournament when they lost to El Dorado by 34 runs while United Brothers Sports Club were knocked out when they were defeated by four wickets by Die Hard. In the El Dorado/Young Warriors match that got underway around 10am, El Dorado XI won the toss and elected to bat amassing a score of 136-8 in their allotted overs. Robin Persaud top scored with an unbeaten 28.
Parshutam Ragubansie with 3-20 was the pick of the bowlers for Young Warriors (YW). YW in reply got off to a good start as they had 50 on the board from nine overs but things soon went haywire and they eventually crumbled to 102 all out in 12.5 overs.
Calvin Walcott managed to put up some resistance with an unbeaten 37 not out but that did not stop the top line bowling spell from Robin Persaud who added 4- 24 to his stats and turned in a good all round performance.
When the clock struck high noon the battle between Die Hard XI and UBSC began and USBC were the first to take strike and they posted a challenging total of 139 which they accumulated for the loss of nine wickets.
Sham Grovenor led the way with an energetic 52 which was laced with five boundaries while Raymond Taylor was economical finishing with 3 -20.
Led by an unbeaten 29-ball 65 from Patrick Rooplall which was strapped with seven sixes and three fours, Die Hard XI made 140-6 in just under 13 overs. Rooplall was ably supported by Ganesh Mangal who made 40 not out off 21 balls (3×6, 2×4).
Despite YW’s loss, they have qualified to represent Essequibo along with Die Hard XI who are still unbeaten in their zone against the winners of the Georgetown zone.
Present champions Regal XI will be taking on the unbeaten Ariel XI while Trophy Stall XI, also unbeaten, will be opposed by Farm Masjid this weekend.
Meanwhile, Wolf Warriors of West Coast will take on Parika/ Hydronie Sports Club to decide which other team will go through to face the Berbice winners. Rangers SC were the first team to make it through having defeated Zeeburg Warriors last week. In Berbice, Scotsburg United will face Fyrish Youths in a playoff this weekend to determine the winner after both teams qualified to represent Berbice in the national quarter-finals.
