Troublesome team out of softball competition

Teams participating in the 23rd edition of the National Lotteries Authority Top Belair Softball cricket competition will have one team less to worry about.{{more}}

When the groups were decided last week Monday 4, last year’s champion Troublesome Eleven failed to meet the deadline for the completion of registration.

An extension by the organisers to last Saturday was given to the talented youngsters; however, they again missed out on the accommodation.

An internal misunderstanding has been the reason that has surfaced for the defending champion’s non- participation.

Twenty-four teams spread in four groups will go after the $1500 winner’s purse for the league title, as well as the knock out prize and the various monetary awards up for grabs in this country’s most lucrative softball competition.

VINLEC Shot Callers, Belair Five Roads, Aunt Jobe’s Older Boys, Fountain Rangers and National Properties HMP Stars compete in Group A.

CGM Novice New Track Guys, Pine Hill Sugar Corner Giants, Dr. Thomas Injectors, East Bank and RSVG Police make up Group B.

Those stashed in Group C are Snipers, Nah Fren Dem, Vincom Nex Level, Computec Irie Travel Fair Hall Falcons, NCB High Rollers and Diamond Demolishers.

Completing the groupings are Kingstown Hill United, Kelbourney Bangers, Gomea Bombers, Rivals, Gairy Construction Stingers and National Lotteries Authority Stars in Group D.

Last Saturday’s planned opening ceremony and Ball-o-rama was hampered by inclement weather. Instead, teams chose to have a “knock up” and just milled around on the Dauphine playing field.

Action began on Sunday with two matches. High Rollers made light work of Diamond Demolishers. Oswald Soleyn, with 4 for 9 was High Rollers top bowler as Diamond Demolishers was routed for 45 off 15 overs. In response, High Rollers reached 47 for 5 in 9.5 overs.

VINLEC Shot Callers recorded a three-wicket victory over HMP Stars, as action in Group A got started. HMP Stars crashed to 54 all out, undone by the bowling of Chris King’s 5 for 12. Shot Callers erased the total, reaching 55

and losing seven wickets in the process.

A full complement of matches is slated for this weekend. On Saturday, from 1:15, Five Roads meet ASCO, followed by Stingers against Rivals.

Sunday’s first match is scheduled to begin at 9.00 a.m. pitting Snipers against Nex Level. From noon, Older Boys battles Fountain Rangers, with East Bank meeting Smirnoff Sugar Corner Giants from 3:15 p.m.