TORONTO, Canada – The five-year wait is over. After reaching five consecutive finals in the East Division and failing to win any, Caribbean Sensation have finally “broken the ice” by emerging victorious in last Saturday’s final of the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) 15/15 tournament which climaxed at the Ashtonbee ground here.Playing before vociferous supporters on a day, which also formed part of the OSCL as well as the club’s fun day l, the players used this as an incentive to earn their first major triumph, thumping opponents Masters by 21 runs.

The B division final, which also formed part of the day’s proceedings, saw Wakenaam gain sweet revenge on Rebels after losing to the same team in the 10/10 final at the said venue last month.
The tournament, which had earlier attracted sponsorship from Caribbean Sensation’s long-standing president Harri Sukhu, saw Home Trust also come on board to form a joint partnership.
Set 91 for victory, after Caribbean Sensation had reached 90 for five in their allotted 15 overs, Masters, who included former Guyana players Troy Gobin and Zaheer Haniff, were restricted to 69 for six with only Azam Haniff providing any resistance with 18. Rabindra Diaram claimed two for 12 and Zakir Khan one for nine.
Earlier, Rishi (Anil) Samuel had slammed a brilliant 42 which included five fours and two sixes and received fine support from fellow opener Sheik Khan who hit a resolute 20, the two featuring in an opening stand of 47 in six overs. Dave Sirikisson took two for 11.
In the B division final, opener Mahesh Richard continued his tremendous season with another swashbuckling undefeated 55 as Wakenaam compiled a challenging 97 for one in their allotted 15 overs, batting first.
Richard blasted four sixes and two fours and along with Azeez Baksh (22), shared an enterprising opening partnership of 85 as favourites Rebels wilted under the pressure.
Rebels never really looked like obtaining the required total, finishing on 76 for six when their overs expired with the veteran Surindra Beepat capturing two for 12.
The respective Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards went to Samuels (Caribbean Sensation), Haniff (Masters), Richard (Wakenaam) and Beepat (Rebels).

At the presentation ceremony which followed, OSCL president Albert Ramcharran congratulated all four teams for reaching the finals and showered praise on the sponsors Harri Sukhu and Home Trust for their generosity.
Ramcharran also reminded the players that the OSCL will be fielding a team in the upcoming inaugural Toronto Cup tournament, set for Labour Day weekend when teams from the host nation, Guyana and New York are set to participate.
Sponsor Sukhu, who has pledged to sponsor the tournament for at least the first three years, was high in praise for the OSCL executives who he said were doing a fantastic job in keeping the grassroots game alive in Toronto. Sukhu also urged the players to give the league their undivided support.
Prior to the commencement of the tournament Sukhu had told Chronicle Sport, while winning should obviously be the main aim of any team, be it softball or any other sport, he’s making great efforts to also preserve the culture that has been adopted from his native country Guyana

By Frederick Halley