By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada – After failing in two attempts to capture the coveted Division One title of the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC), including a narrow one-win loss to last year’s winners Our Own, Warriors Cricket Club finally broke the jinx when the 2018 tournament concluded at St Bede’s ground, Scarborough here last Sunday.

In what was certainly one of the biggest crowds to witness finals staged by the OMSCC, Warriors registered a comfortable seven-wicket victory over newcomers Dant Masters while Ramblers held their nerves to win a thrilling and nail-biting Division Two encounter against Reliance Lions which was decided off the final delivery on the adjacent Littles ground.

The low-scoring Division One clash, which generated much attention following Dant Masters last-ball triumph over defending champions Our Own the previous weekend, saw Warriors reach 90 for three in 17.5 overs, chasing Dant Masters’ modest 86 for seven in their allotted 20 overs.

It took a sensible unbeaten third-wicket partnership of 53 between former Guyana Under-19 stalwarts, Rovendra Mandolall (29 not out) and Eion Katchay (19 not out), to seal victory for Warriors after they were in a spot of bother at 37 for three.

The consistent Mandolall struck two sixes and two fours. Another former youth player, Eyaz Mohamed contributed 16 before he went via the run out route.

Earlier, Dant Masters were made to struggle throughout their innings with only Munniram Karran (33 with three fours) and Zaheer Haniff (20 not out) offering any resistance. Terry Mathura bowled immaculately to capture one for three in his three overs, two of which were maidens while Anil Persaud took one for seven and Rabindra Diaram one for nine.

A significant feature of the innings was the three run-outs, all effected by Eyaz Mohamed.

The Division Two battle between the evenly-matched contenders saw Reliance Lions needing nine runs in the final over,  entrusted to Farook Inshan after being set 145 for victory. In the end, Ramblers prevailed with Reliance left high and dry on 142 for six.

Rakesh Ramotar had earlier set the stage for Reliance Lions with a blazing 51 which included five sixes and a four while Hazaar Azweem was undefeated on 35 with four fours and a six. Polly Shivrattan was Ramblers’ best bowler with two for 25.

Ramblers were led to a challenging 144 for seven in their allotted 20 overs through Hardat Chablall who hit 39 (2×4, 3×6), Ron Etwaroo 32 (2×4, 2×6) and Mokeem Sattaur 22 (2×4, 1×6). Roy Brittania claimed three for 19.

At the presentation ceremony which followed, Mandolall and Karran were named Most Valuable Players (MVPs) for Warriors and Dant Masters respectively, earning $50 each for Littles Sports Club while the MVPs for Ramblers and Reliance Masters were Inshan and Ramotar, who collected $50 on behalf of Caribbean Wave Restaurant.

Zaheer Haniff was also the recipient of a cash incentive from Donna Bodhoo for taking the best catch while special cash prizes of $100 (Canadian) were presented to Munniram Karran and Eyaz Mohamed, compliments of businessman Nirad Lall.

The win by Warriors also marked a significant milestone for Terry Mathura, who was also part of the winning Skeldon team in the OMSCC Over-50 tournament and also donned colours for Carr Tec which won the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) Conference B playoffs championships.

At the presentation ceremony, OMSCC president Azeem Khan lauded the efforts of the participating teams and the commitment shown throughout the season. He also showered praise on the several sponsors and reminded those present that the OMSCC presentation dinner and dance is set for Saturday, November 10 at Eastown Banquet Hall, Scarborough.