Softball meet off to quiet start

The National Lotteries Authority Top Belair Softball Cricket Competition got off to an unusual start last Saturday.
Unusual, as there was not the customary fan-fare nor pomp associated with previous openings. And there was a reduced number of competing teams. {{more}}
The competition began in earnest at the Dauphine Playing Field, with defending League and Knock-Out champ CGM novice, beginning on a winning note.
Kingstown Hill United pushed novice to the
limit.
An unbeaten 68 by Trevor Bailey, and 63 from Renrick Williams, propelled Novice to 192 for 9 off the allotment of 25 overs.
Brian Davis bagged 5 for 41 for Kingstown Hill.
Brent Saunders top-scored with 57, and the contribution of 48 extras, as Kingstown Hill inched to their victory total. Eventually, they stopped at 170 for 9 in the mandatory overs.
Also starting on a positive note was Carib Pearl New Track Guys. New Track Guys posted 177 in 22.4 overs. Bernard Davis 30 and Eldon Morris 28 were the men in good form.
Mc Kell John was Diamond Demolishers’ leading bowler with 3 for 31.
Demolishers fell for 109. They were undone by the bowling of Morris, Davis, Vernardo Primus, and Veron Bute, who took two wickets apiece.
Old Trafford reached 125 off 25 overs against Vincom Nex Level. Cordel John made 20. Norman Holder 4 for 12 and Eddie Peters 3 for 20 were Nex Level main wicket-takers.
At their turn Nex Level crashed to 117 all out in 16.5 overs. Cornelius Laborde captured 4 for 34 to carve out a win for Old Trafford.
One of the competition’s favourite teams Troublesome XI, lowered High Rollers. Troublesome XI blasted 175 in 21.2 overs. Principal scorers were Lynden Williams (30) and Osbourne Franklyn(24). Keith Garrick 4 for 32, was High Rollers’ top bowler.
Franklyn then snared four scalps for nineteen runs as High Rollers were bundled out for 70 in 15.3 overs.
Competition continues tomorrow from 1:15 pm with Ju-c HMP Stars meeting Belair Five Roads, followed by Stingers versus Tropical Rhythms Older Boys from 3:15.
On Sunday, Fountain Rangers face Kelbourney Bangers from 9:45 am.
From 12:45 that same day, Vinlec Shot Callers meet Gomea Bombers, with the weekend’s feature match pitting Pine Hill Nice Radio Clinchers against New Track Guys.
Twenty teams are participating in this year’s competition. Novice, Kingstown Hill, Five Roads, HMP Stars, and Hillside Rollers are grouped in Zone A. Competing for a place in the next round from Zone B are New Track Guys, Kelbourney Stars, Clinchers, Fountain Rangers and Diamond Demolishers.
Stacked in Zone C are Sugar Corner Giants, Shot Callers, Bombers, Nex Level and Old Trafford. Troublesome Eleven, Snipers, Stingers, Older Boys and High Rollers complete Zone D’s quota.
Four teams from each zone will advance to the next round, which will be a Knock Out.
This, the 22nd version will be shortened to accommodate refurbishing of the field in November.