… aiming for record treble

TORONTO Dant, seeking to capture an unprecedented three titles in their first season in the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL), took a gigantic step in their quest, capturing their second crown in as many weeks last Sunday at the Ashtonbee ground here.Contesting the first-ever 15/15 final staged by the OSCL, Dant turned back the challenge of Better Hope, winning by a comfortable 26 runs. The victory followed their triumph over Rems in the 10/10 final the previous Saturday at the same venue.
Taking first strike, after skipper Aftab Shamshudeen won the toss and elected to bat, Dant reached a challenging 116 for six in their allotted 15 overs and limited Better Hope to 90 for eight when their overs expired.
Dant’s innings was built around a quick-fire 12-ball 30 from Riaz Kadir who clobbered four massive sixes in his short stay at the crease.
The early foundation was built by openers, Shaun Deonandan (18), a former Guyana youth player and Maniram Karran (17), the two posting 35 for the first wicket, while for Better Hope, Jairam Ramotar claimed two for 37 and there was one wicket each for Hemchand Sarwan, Jerry Brittania and Gavin Singh.
Better Hope were never in the hunt, losing wickets at regular intervals with only Sunil Ramkissoon proving his worth with a fighting knock of 22 while skipper Richard Dias, who opened the innings made 12. Kadir, who was later named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the winning team, returned to capture three for 13 from three overs to crown a fine all-round display. Ramkissoon was awarded the MVP for the losing team.
Once again, East Coast had to settle for the Consolation title like they also did the previous week, this time defeating Matrix by 82 runs at the same venue.
Winning the toss and batting first, East Coast raced to 144-6 in their allotted 15 overs while Matrix, who fielded a nine-man team, were left high and dry at 62 for seven off their 15-overs.
The consistent Surujpaul Deosaran (MVP) slammed a top score of 56 which included four sixes and two fours while his cousin Krishna Deosaran, also a former National youth player, supported with an attractive 42 with three sixes and a four.
Inul Rudolph picked up two for 18 off his three overs for Matrix.
When Matrix batted only Patrick Lall, later voted MVP for the losers, showed any resistance with 16 as Anil Persaud grabbed two for six from his three overs. He was well supported by Fizul Haniff and Andy Persaud with two for 12 and 13 respectively.
OSCL president Albert Ramcharran was among the executives at the presentation ceremony which followed the two matches. He reminded the players that selection for the upcoming Guyana Softball Cup in October will be made shortly and outlined the selection procedures. The OSCL is aiming to field two teams, one in the Open category and the other in the Masters.
Ramcharran also took the opportunity to congratulate the four teams which participated in the final and the Consolation game. He also boasted that the OSCL was the first to have staged 10/10 and 15/15 tournaments in Canada.
Dant skipper Shamshudeen was loud in his praise for his charges and vowed that his team will also cart off the 20-over tournament which is in progress. They are unbeaten to date in the competition which is being played on a league basis.
Confessing that the better side had won the final, Better Hope captain Richard Dias also had kind words for his players but warned they will reverse the decision next time around.
Meanwhile, the OSCL will stage its annual presentation dinner and dance on Sunday, October 26 at the Easton Banquet Hall in Scarborough.

(By Frederick Halley)