Defending champs Sunshine aiming to retain title

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada — After suffering a setback in the Caribbean Sensation 10/10 final last Saturday, defending champions Sunshine will be aiming to make amends when they clash with Better Hope in the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL)-organised Norman Sue Bakery (NSB)-sponsored 15-over Conference A final, set for Saturday at the Ashtonbee number one ground, Scarborough.

A new champion will be crowned in the B Conference when Good Success battle Carr Tec at Ashtonbee number two, since last year’s winner, Wakenaam, have been booted out of the knockout tournament.

Rems will also be vying for their second consolation crown in as many weeks when they oppose Caribbean Sensation at the Ashtonbeen Reservoir number one ground while the B Conference consolation final features GTA Storm and Smashers on the Ashtonbee Reservoir number two field.

In last year’s final played at the same venue, Sunshine inflicted a resounding nine-wicket victory over then defending champion, Dant. Chasing a modest 108 for victory, after limiting Dant to 107 for seven in their allotted 15 overs, Sunshine raced to 113 for one in a mere 11 overs, winning with four overs to spare.
The victory was engineered by a fine unbeaten second-wicket stand of 71 between Azam Haniff (36 not out) and Anil Ramoutar (23 not out).

While Sunshine were basking in glory in Conference A, Wakenaam were making light work of their opponents GTA Storm in a disappointing Conference B final, triumphing by seven wickets in a lopsided victory.

Despite losing to archrivals Dant in last Saturday’s 10/10 final, Sunshine are hot favourites to get past Better Hope, who, however, should not be taken lightly. Last year’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Azam Haniff missed several games this season but showed glimpses of batting form versus Dant with a top score of 21.

Sunshine will also be relying heavily on Hemnarine Chattergoon and Looknauth Ramsuchit who failed to impress last week while the likes of Imran Ali, Anil Ramoutar and Avinash Sookdeo are expected to play key roles. Led by Anil Mahadeo, they also include formidable all-rounder Mahendranauth ‘Bobby’ Parasnauth.

While not possessing “big names,” Better Hope are not to be underrated, since they reached the final in 2016, losing to Dant in the process. Skipper Sunil Ramkissoon has been exuding an air of confidence in his players and feels they are capable of coming out victorious. Avinash Singh, Richard Narine, Nick Joseph and Anand Nirmal are among the players capable of scoring big.

Last year’s MVP, Moin Khan, along with his brother Imran, Naveed Ali, Imtiaz Ali and Krishna Persaud are among the players Good Success will be banking on for success when they battle a wounded Carr Tec side which suffered a disappointing loss to Wakenaam in last week’s Conference B 10/10 final.

Skipper Bharrat Lachman will, however, be hoping that Carr Tec bounce back from the lost and add the NSB title to their collection. The hard-hitting Ravendra Mandolall has the ability to change a game and his presence is a vital cog in Carr Tec’s lineup which also include the versatile Mahendra Monilall.