By Orin Davidson
The Independence Cup bowled off Friday in a blaze of glory for the New York Softball Association League team and Bronx Dream team.
The undefeated Dream Team in the New York Softball Cricket League Independence Cup. Photo by Shiek Mohamed
Following big performances on opening day, a huge showdown is looming for the title between the two favored teams this year after they both played unbeaten for two wins each in the preliminary group rounds .
Defending champions, the League team disposed of Canada and Guyana All Stars to advance to the semifinals playoff from Group One. Led by a sparking 78 by Waheed Ward, the League Team outplayed Canada by a whopping 90-run margin. They rattled up 235 in their allotted 25 overs and then dismissed Canada for 145.
The League Team then sounded an early warning to the pretenders to its crown by brushing aside last year’s runners up Guyana All Stars by seven runs. Taking first strike, the League compiled 199-6 then restricted Guyana All Stars to 192-9 in their allotted 25 overs.
Similarly in Group 2 Bronx Dream team overpowered its opponents to also book its place in the final four. They slammed Caracas Boys by 50 runs in their first match before taking care of South Florida.
Taking first strike against Caracas Boys, Bronx Dream Team scored 140 and then shot out the opposition for 90.
The top two teams from each group will contest the semi-finals playoffs Saturday morning from which the two finalists will be determined for the showdown on Sunday.
In the Legends Over-45 series, the League Legends and Better Hope Legends are heading for a showdown to determine this year’s champion.
So far the League squad defeated Better Hope Legacy and Queens All Stars while Better Hope Legends secured victories over the said two teams.