By Frederick Halley
TORONTO, Canada -The celebrations went late into the night at the Ashtonbee ground, Scarborough, as Superstars regained the Caribbean Wave trophy, symbol of supremacy among women cricketers in the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA).

Having relinquished the crown they captured in the inaugural year of the tournament in 2015, Superstars were dethroned by Kaisoca Cricket Club in last year’s final and with the same two sides colliding again this year, the stage was set for an enthralling match-up.
That it lived up to its pre-match hype was no surprise as supporters from both teams were kept on tenterhooks with Superstars prevailing in a tense affair with seven balls to spare in the 20-over grand finale.

Both teams were given rousing starts by their openers, but a splendid knock of 63 by Superstars’ Terisha Bess upstaged that of her Kaisoca counterpart Chuntell “Thunder” Martin (71) who proved once again that she relishes the big occasion after her thunderous stroke-filled 80 last year which earned her side victory.

Set a challenging 142 for victory, after Kaisoca had reached 141 for four in their allotted 20 overs, Superstars were given a fine start of 72 between Bess and Aisha Iftikhar (19), the former dominating the stand with some crisp off-side drives.
The Vincentian-born Bess, who also plies her trade in England, also featured in a second-wicket partnership of 54 with Jenny Aliq (19) and by the time she departed, caught at the wicket off medium pacer Kadie Ramdath at 130 for three, her team was almost home high and dry. Skipper Nicole Samuel and Megan Yougnauth completed the formalities as Superstars triumphed by seven wickets.

Bess’ knock was decorated with five fours, but the feature of the two partnerships was undoubtedly the running between the wickets. There was one wicket each for captain Mawish Khan, Martin and Ramdath.
The explosive Martin and former Guyana and Canadian national player, Ave Mogan, had earlier given Kaisoca a rollicking start, adding 121 for the first wicket, before Mogan was forced to retire hurt for 28. The dominant Martin lashed 11 fours and a six in her 71 as Yougnauth finished with two for 31 and Bess one for 36.

At the presentation ceremony which followed, Bess and Martin were adjudged the Most Valuable Players for their respective teams; the latter copping the coveted prize for the second consecutive year. Bess was also the recipient of a bat, compliments of coach John Ferguson.

Cricket Council of Ontario (CCO) president, Praimp Persaud, who witnessed the final, congratulated both teams on their display, but however acknowledged that much more needs to be done to harness the obvious talents that abound among the players.
The Guyana-born administrator reminded the players that other provinces are now involved in women’s cricket and they would need to be on top of their game once they aspire to represent Canada. He pointed out that unlike last year when players from the SCA were prevented from competing against the touring MCC women’s team, the way is now cleared for national participation.

Superstars executive and manager, Abigail Rajkumar, while congratulating both teams on their performances, reserved special praise for her team, disclosing that she was extremely proud to be associated with them.
“I am so proud of each of you, a well played season but more importantly, on Sunday you all rocked, we all were focused, played as one unit, as sisters on and off the field, together in harmony, unselfishly and had an incredible yet exciting cricket match. Outside Negativity did not affect the team in any way…”

Manager of Kaisoca, George Maharaj, was gracious in defeat, admitting that Superstars truly deserved their triumph.
Kudos were also expressed to Deo Samaroo and Vish Jadunauth for their roles as coordinator and assistant coordinator, respectively, and to the sponsors which included Caribbean Wave (winning trophy) and Kim Sue of Norman Sue Bakery (runner-up trophy). The proceedings were chaired by SCA secretary, Eon Gunraj, as president Shiv Persaud was unavoidably absent.