Dant salvage pride with OSCL grand final title
The victorious Dant players and OSCL executives pose following the team’s victory. OSCL president Albert Ramcharran is at far right (standing).
The victorious Dant players and OSCL executives pose following the team’s victory. OSCL president Albert Ramcharran is at far right (standing).

TORONTO, Canada – After taking their debut season by storm, winning all the major titles up for grabs, Dant became the obvious target for most of the other competing teams in the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) in the 2015 season.Until last Saturday, they had failed to win any titles, losing to archrivals Caribbean Sensation in the 10/10 white ball final and failing to reach the final of the 15-over tournament. In the interim, they were also given a sound thrashing by New York Enforcers in the Toronto Cup 1 in a lopsided final in the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) organised competition.

Dant’s MVP Avi Singh collects his winning trophy from OSCL executive Vish Jadunauth.
Dant’s MVP Avi Singh collects his winning trophy from OSCL executive Vish Jadunauth.

Left with only the grand final to redeem themselves and salvage some pride, despite losing to nemesis Caribbean Sensation in the Conference A final last Sunday, Dant again proved that they are a force to be reckoned with, romping to a 11-run victory, thereby retaining the title they won last year.
Winning the toss and batting under windy and blustery conditions and on an unusually cold October Saturday, Dant reached a challenging 126 all out in 19.5 overs with the main contributors being Shawn Deonandan (23) and Imran Ali (16). At one stage, they were 115 for five before an inexplicable middle-order collapse ruined the bottom half of the innings.
Anand Balwant, who engineered the middle-order collapse, finished with four for 22 from his four overs while Shane Murli supported with two for 25 from 3.5.
Caribbean Sensation failed to get any meaningful partnerships going and were dismissed for 111 in 19.3 overs, going down by 15 runs. Skipper Navin Singh hit 18 but failed to get the needed support from his top-order as Avi Singh led the bowlers with three for 17 which also earned him the Most Valuable Player for Dant.
Two crucial run-outs also put paid to Caribbean Sensation’s hopes. Singh earned the MVP award for Caribbean Sensation.
Both teams were hampered by the prevailing windy conditions with Dant conceding 64 extras and Caribbean Sensation 53, mostly wides.
At the presentation ceremony, which followed, OSCL president Albert Ramcharran praised the players for braving the cold conditions and for a very competitive encounter on the last day of the season.
Ramcharran pointed out that the OSCL was once again happy to have concluded a successful season and disclosed that the league’s presentation, dinner and dance is set for Saturday, November 28 at the Eastown Banquet Hall in Scarborough.

By Frederick Halley

 

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