High-octane hitting, nerve-shredding chases and hefty prize money set the stage as the Essequibo leg reaches its climax, with four teams locking horns to determine who earns the ultimate zonal crown and a coveted spot in the National Grand Finale.
The quarter-final round was a masterclass in power-hitting across the venues.
At Hampton Court, Mark Gonsalves unleashed a brutal 26-ball 82, laced with nine sixes, to power Adventure Renegades to a towering 172 for 3. Supported by Shaz Grovesnor’s 20-ball 45, the total proved way beyond Bartica Royals, who collapsed to 108 for 5 under the absurdly economical precision of Besham Moses (3 for 2 from two overs).
Over at Pomona, Team Royals made light work of a steep chase, hunting down 2025 semi-finalists Aurora Knight Riders’ 132 for 1 in a staggering 6.2 overs. Royan Fredricks’ unbeaten 36-ball 84 for Knight Riders was rendered immaterial once Tayindra Boodram (76* off 22) and Bomesh Ramdahin (42* off 14) began clearing the ropes with complete disdain.
At Anna Regina, Lusignan Bulls DTP II posted a mammoth 170 for 3, propelled by skipper Richie Looknauth’s astonishing 17-ball 65* and Vickash Wilkinson’s 54* off 19. Shawn’s Mini Mart put up a spirited response via Shaieed Khan’s 30-ball 60, but ultimately fell 37 runs short.
Meanwhile, Affiance No.1 Ground hosted a thriller as Jamal Wilson’s blistering 83 off 30 balls guided Queenstown/Ariel XI past Fibreglass Gladiators’ 140 for 3 with just two balls to spare.
Sunday’s action bowls off at 2:30pm with back-to-back semi-finals, headlined by Adventure Renegades locking horns with Lusignan Bulls DTP II at 4:30pm. The evening promises extra flair with a six-overs-a-side sprint between Trophy Stall Jaguars and Trophy Stall Eagles, alongside an Essequibo youth showcase at 6:30pm, before the grand zonal final at 8pm.
On the line is a G$500,000 winner’s purse courtesy of Shawn’s Mini Mart, a G$200,000 runner-up cheque from Jaigobin Hotel and a golden ticket to the national showdown alongside already-qualified Grillmaster and Mahdia.
The tournament will briefly pause for the closing stretch of the Caribbean Premier League before resuming on September 26 for the Georgetown/East Coast Demerara Zone, with all roads leading back to Anna Regina for the national showdown on October 11.
