Ramesh Narine guided Floodlights Masters to a 12-run victory over nemesis Regal Masters in the Masters Over-45 year old final of the 2018 Orlando Cup, which ended last Sunday at Hogshead Park, Florida.
Narine slammed nine sixes and three fours in an even century which came off 56 balls, while Ravi Lutchman made 31 as Floodlights posted 192-9, batting first. David Harper picked up 2 for 28 and Troy Kippins 2-46.
In reply, the Regal Masters needed to score at just under 10 runs per over but eventually ended on 181 for 8. Eric Thomas struck 56 off 26 balls, while Rudolph Baker made 38 from 21 balls (3×6; 3×4) before he was run out. Mohendra Arjune made 15.
When Thomas became another run out victim in the 19th over at 169 for 6, there were still 23 runs to get from almost two overs but Floodlights prevailed. Akash Lutchman (2/18) and Ramesh Narine (2/20) were the pick of the bowlers.
At the Presentation ceremony, Narine was named Man-of-the-Match while former Berbice cricketer Bhim George was the MVP and Masters Over-45 tournament’s best batsman. Mahendra Hardyal won the best bowler prize and collected the purple cap and shirt and a trophy.
Meanwhile, a blistering knock of 53 off 23 balls from Sarfaz Esau saw Regal All Stars knocking over Assassins by seven wickets in the final of the Open category
In brilliant sunshine and in front of a huge crowd, the Regal skipper, Esau first won the toss and took the field.
In the preliminary rounds on Friday, Regal had dismissed their finals opponent for just 69 runs and were on course for a repeat but some lower order resistance saw the New York-based team rallying to 131 for 9 from 20 overs.
Roger Parsram hit one six and three fours in Assassins’ top score of 29 and he was supported by Prem Singh with 18 not out (1×6) and Pooran Beria with 17 (2×4).
Once again the Regal All Stars bowling was led by Rohit “Beast” Dutchin with 2 for 20 with Fazal Rafeek with 2 for 36 supported well.
In reply, Regal All Stars lost the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Richard Latif without scoring half way through the opening over to a catch at the wicket off Prem Singh (2/41).
However, Esau came to the crease and immediately took the attack to the opposition on the relatively big outfield. In all, he hit three sixes and seven beautifully times fours in a quick 67-run second wicket partnership with opener Navin Singh. When he was dismissed at 68 for 2, Singh took over and dominated a 47-run stand with Rafeek who made 16 (1×6) before he was dismissed with just 17 runs required for victory.
Singh continued to hit the ball sweetly and remained unbeaten on 45 (3×6; 2×4) as Regal reached 132 for 3 off 14.2 overs to win by 7 wickets with 5.4 overs remaining. Sewchand Budhu was not out on 1.
Regal took the winning Orlando Cup and US$4,000 while Esau was named Man of the Match in the final. Regal bowler, Delroy Perreira was adjudged the tournament’s best bowler and Latif the best batsman as well
