…Sixth consecutive title for HACC

By Frederick Halley
TORONTO, Canada – The 35th edition of the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) presentation, dinner and dance took on an added significance here last Saturday night at the Eastown Banquet Hall.

For the first time in the history of the association, women and Under-13 cricketers were recipients of awards at the impressive ceremony where the attendance also exceeded expectations.
The SCA had introduced the two categories at the commencement of the 2015 season and according to officials and well-wishers both were resounding successes.
The night also belonged to Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC), whose unprecedented run in the Premiere League continued unabated with their sixth consecutive championship title, with a proud president Narchand “Archie” Mohan assuring that his charges have no intention of giving up the reins for in a hurry.
Speaking to Chronicle Sport shortly after accepting Frank Faubert Trophy, sponsored by Shiv Persaud of Primerica, Mohan sounded a warning to the other competing teams, pointing out that HACC intend to come even stronger in the new season.

Mohan showered praises on his players for their commitment and discipline exhibited during the season and also reminded that they will be further rewarded when the club holds its presentation, dinner and awards ceremony on January 16 next.
Abigail Rajkumar, Superstars president and Women’s Cricket Development Advocate in Ontario, Canada, was loud in praise of the efforts of the SCA in the introduction of women’s cricket and on her team for emerging winners of the Caribbean Wave Restaurant trophy.
Rajkumar reminded the appreciative audience that Superstars women’s team were the first team to consistently forge forward in developing seniors’ skills and to coaching new players. “My team rocks. Congratulations to all of you ladies, each of you are amazing and we won as a team” she declared to loud cheers.
SCA president Deo Samaroo, in brief remarks, said his executives were grateful for the outstanding support from members and their contribution “to a wildly successful 2015 season.”
According to Samaroo, “it was a historical year for the SCA, with the addition of a Junior and Women’s division.” He congratulated all the recipients and looked forward to the continuous support, growth and success of the SCA in the coming years. The several sponsors also came in for commendations.
Ontario Cricket Association (OCA) Melvin John lauded the SCA on its initiatives and assured the players that they are now eligible to be called to trials by Canada Cricket, a first for cricketers attached to the SCA. John also took the opportunity to present cricket equipment to the women and junior cricketers, compliments of his firm Hillrich Sports.
Former Guyana and Canadian national women’s player Ave Mogan, the first Canadian player to be inducted into the Canadian Cricketers Hall of Fame, gave a brief history of women’s cricket and congratulated both the SCA and players for their efforts during the season.
Apart from copping the Premiere League title, HACC also had three players who received awards for outstanding performances. Former Guyana and West Indies B team player Krishna Arjune, who was unavoidably absent, took home prizes for slamming two centuries (132 and 103 not out) and for being the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the final, Reyaz Prahalad (154 not out) and Azhad Amidon (121).
Superstars’ Nicole Samuel, also a former Canadian national women’s player, received prizes for scoring the most runs and for the highest individual score, while Rajkumar was second in batting and teammate and left-arm pacer Lorraine Kenton spearheading the bowling department.
Islanders were crowned First Division champions, carting off the Richard Ramlall trophy, sponsored by Caribbean Wave with Narie Ramsaroop being the MVP. The Second Division crown, for the second consecutive year, went to the SCA Colts who won the Norman Sue Bakery trophy and Aamir Dorcat the MVP.
Brian Hale’s Toronto Cricket Academy (TCA) were the Under-16 champs, claiming the Richard Ramlall sponsored trophy which saw Monil Patel taking the MVP award but they had to settle for the runners-up spot in the Under-13 division, the winners being Vish Jadunauth’s managed SCA.
Outgoing SCA president Samaroo was the recipient of a plaque from his executives while he in turn handed over one to treasurer Jadunauth for his sterling work over the years.
Special recognitions, in appreciation for their “continuous support and dedication to the SCA” were presented to Yunus Motara of SCA Colts, photographer Bobby Ramlagan, Kaisoca George Maharaj, who was instrumental in the introduction of the women’s league and Superstars scorer Alysha Sarkar.
Trophy Stall (Guyana) was also among the many sponsors, with Roger Sunich, brother of proprietor Ramesh Sunich presenting the Second Division Season Points champion Bangla Warriors with the winning trophy and other incentives to their players.