TORONTO, Canada — Former Guyana Under-19 batsman Ejaz Mohamed rolled back the years with a classic undefeated 41 to guide Cricketers Cove to the Norman Sue Bakery-sponsored 15/15 softball title when the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) staged the final last Saturday at the Ashtonbee ground.Playing before vocal supporters and chasing a modest 80 for victory, after limiting opponents Dant to 79 for nine in their allotted 15 overs, Cricketers Cove achieved their target with five balls to spare, winning in 14.1 overs.
It was also a significant loss for Dant, who entered the 2015 season, having won all three major tournaments in their debut season (2014) under the OSCL’s umbrella. They had earlier relinquished the 10/10 title, losing to Caribbean Sensation in a tense semi-final and will be looking to salvage their reputation in the 20-over regular tournament which is still being contested.
Mohamed entered the fray after his team were jolted by the dangerous Satrohan ‘Blade’ Balkarran who sent opener and captain Vijay Prashad packing first ball of the innings. Playing sensibly, he featured in a brilliant second-wicket partnership of 69 with Kumar Doodnauth (11), the latter departing with just 11 needed for victory.
Needing to get five runs in the final over, Mohamed ended the game in emphatic fashion, smashing the first delivery for a massive six over the midwicket boundary, much to the delight of the Cricketers Cove supporters. The six was his second while he also counted two fours. The other not-out batsman was former Guyana and West Indies B team player Krishna Arjune.
Batting first, Dant never got their innings together and struggled throughout with only former Guyana captain Damodar Daesrath reaching double figure with 15. There were two wickets each for Doodnauth, Gopaul Chand Beharry, and Mike Mahadeo.
Mohamed copped the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for Cricketers Cove while Balkarran was adjudged MVP for Dant.
The Consolation final saw favourites Rebels ease past Wakenaam Sports Club by six wickets with former Guyana Under-19 player Troy Gonsalves hitting a breezy 24 and Shiv Seeram 17 in their quest of 93 for victory. Mohin Khan was Wakenaam’s best bowler with three for five in two overs.
Wakenaam had earlier made an inadequate 92 for nine in their allotted 15 overs with Most Valuable Player (MVP) Krishna Persaud top-scoring with 26. Seeram claimed two for three in his lone over. Former Guyana Under-19 player Naresh Roopnarine was named MVP for Rebels.
At the presentation which followed, OSCL president Guyanese Albert Ramcharran praised the teams for reaching their respective final and for the discipline they exhibited. Ramcharran also announced that Kim Sue had agreed to sponsor the tournament under the Norman Sue Bakery banner.
In her response, Kim told those present that she was proud to be the first sponsor of the tournament on behalf of her late Guyanese father, who was hailed as a pioneer in the baking industry before he passed away.
Meanwhile, the 10/10 final is set for Saturday, August 8 when the OSCL will also stage its annual fun day. The final features Caribbean Sensation and Masters and promises to be a riveting affair.

By Frederick Halley