SVC/AJM CC secured their place in the National Finals of the Lotto/Let’s Bet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast with a commanding 87-run victory over Avinash All-Stars in the Georgetown/East Coast Demerara zone final at the Enmore Community Centre Ground on Sunday.
Jonathan Fernandes led the batting with 64 before a strong bowling performance restricted Avinash to 47 for 9, earning SVC/AJM the zonal title and the $500,000 first prize sponsored by Navin and Sons Construction.
The winners now advance to the national showdown at the Anna Regina National Stadium on October 11, where they will face Lusignan Bulls DTP II in the second semi-final at 16:30h. The national champions will collect an additional $2 million.
Batting first in the zonal final, SVC/AJM amassed 134 for 7 from their allotted 10 overs. Fernandes supplied the main attacking innings, while Kemol Savory contributed a brisk 24. Carlos LaRose returned 2 for 25 for Avinash.
Avinash struggled throughout their reply, with Kadeem Alleyne’s nine runs standing as the highest individual score. Ojay Shields claimed 2 for 10, Miguel Cummins took 2 for 11 and Leon Swamy finished with 2 for 24 as SVC/AJM completed an emphatic win.
Earlier, SVC/AJM defeated Pure Entertainment by seven wickets in the first semi-final. Pure Entertainment posted 94 for 3, led by Tevin Imlach’s 49, with Earl Gilkes adding 17 and Raphael Frank contributing 10. Nial Smith took 2 for 11.
Savory then guided SVC/AJM’s chase with an unbeaten 45. Jonte Thomas scored 24 and Safraz Esau finished unbeaten on 18 as their team reached 95 for 3 within the allotted 10 overs.
The second semi-final was more closely contested, with Avinash All-Stars overcoming Team Corruption by 14 runs.
Kyle Mayers struck an unbeaten 70 and Alleyne added 28 to help Avinash reach 130 for 6. Kevin Sinclair claimed 3 for 45 for Team Corruption, while Akim Chandler took 2 for 22.
Team Corruption remained in contention through contributions from Treatlon Liverpool, who scored 35, Dejourn Charles with 15 and Sinclair with 14. However, with 20 runs required from the final over, LaRose kept the chase in check, leaving Team Corruption on 116 for 5.
Avinash received $200,000 as zonal runners-up, sponsored by Camille’s Academy. The losing semi-finalists received $50,000 courtesy of OGN Group Inc., while Saturday’s losing quarter-finalists were awarded $25,000 each through Scoop Ride Inc.
The October 11 national programme begins at 14:30h with GrillMaster Sip N Play All-Stars facing Mahdia (Movements Family) in the first semi-final, followed by SVC/AJM’s clash with Lusignan Bulls DTP II at 16:30h.
A six-over women’s exhibition match between Tapakuma (Elite Warriors) and Capoey United is scheduled for 18:30h, before the championship final gets underway under lights at 19:30h.
Alongside the $2 million championship prize, the national runners-up will receive $1 million, while the losing semi-finalists will collect $500,000 each.
Admission to the Anna Regina National Stadium is free, and organisers have advised spectators that a strict no-cooler policy will be enforced.
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