By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada — After claiming the runner-up spot for four consecutive years, including a narrow one-run loss to Our Own in last year’s final, Guyana Sports Club (GSC) broke the jinx on Sunday when they emerged winners of the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Division One tournament at St Bede’s ground, Scarborough.

Entering the final as the number four seed, GSC turned back the challenge of second seeded East Coast Hustlers after earlier creating a stir by trouncing favourites and defending champions Our Own in the semi-final the previous weekend.
The Division Two final saw Royals live up to their number one billing in a tense two-run victory over Miracles who were fourth in the standings in their division.
Eager to enter winners’ row after coming close on a few occasions, GSC seemed a determined bunch and from the word go had Hustlers on the back foot, ripping through the top order which included the likes of the team’s leading run-getter Rovendra Madholall, who was brilliantly bowled by Terry Mathura in the third over after his team was inserted to take first strike.
By the end of the 10th over, Hustlers were reduced to 38 for six and despite putting up some resistance in the remaining 10, an insufficient 99 all out was all they could muster in 19.2 overs.
Abinash Ramnarayan (48) was the only batsman to offer any resistance, hitting three fours and a six while Avinash Singh supported with 17. For GSC, Farouk Inshan claimed three for 10 from three overs and Khemraj Budhai two for seven from 1.2.
Despite losing Inshan with just 12 on the board, GSC cruised to an emphatic seven-wicket victory in 13.4 overs with Jito Narine blasting three sixes and four fours in an unbeaten 42 and also earning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his side. Skipper Rakesh Dyal finished with two for 18 from three overs and Ramkarran Seegobin one for five runs from one. Ramnarayan was voted MVP for Hustlers.
In a more competitive Division Two final, Miracles almost pulled off a miraculous win after being set a challenging 178 for victory in their allotted 20 overs.
Keeping pace with the required target throughout their innings, Miracles needed seven off the last over but were left high and dry on 175 for five, after a brilliant last over from Suresh Keso which yielded just four runs.
MVP Matbar Singh, who was mainly responsible for his team reaching the final following a last-ball boundary in the semi-final versus Ramblers, was again among the runs, slamming four fours and a six in a top score of 44 while Hazari Girdhari made 33. Extras contributed a healthy 62, including some 40 wides. Four run-outs did little to help Miracles’ cause.
When Royals batted, they were indebted to half-centuries from MVP Deonarine Sukhoo (55) and Abdool Azeeze (54) as they reached a formidable 177 for five in their 20 overs. Deonarine struck six fours and two sixes while Azeeze counted six sixes and a four in his knock. Rabindranauth Persaud claimed two for 16.
Both finals once again attracted hundreds of spectators and at the presentation ceremony, OMSCC president Azeem Khan lauded the efforts of the participating teams and the commitment shown throughout the season. The OMSCC presentation dinner and dance is set for Saturday, October 15.