UNBEATEN half- centuries from former Guyana Under-19 batsman Troy Gobin and his opening partner Surendra Persaud failed to give Pegasus Storm their first-ever victory over defending champions Toronto Blizzards when the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Club (OMSCC) Over-50 tournament continued last Saturday at Littles ground, Toronto, Canada.

Gobin continued from where he left off the previous weekend, when he registered the first century (104) of the 2022 season with a splendid 87 not out while Persaud was unbeaten on a fine 81 as Pegasus Storm reached a formidable 203 without loss in their allotted 20 overs; a record partnership since the Nirad Lall- owned team was formed in 2021.

However, to the disappointment of the Pegasus Storm supporters, Toronto Blizzards got to the target with five deliveries to spare and were 209 for five when victory was achieved in 19.1 overs.

After winning the toss and opting to take first strike in sunny conditions, Pegasus Storm were 73 without loss at the half-way stage but reached their respectable total with the pair of Gobin, who slammed two fours and seven sixes and Persaud, whose knock contained three fours and six sixes, accelerating in the final 10 overs, adding a further 130.

Toronto Blizzards, aided by some wayward bowling from their opponents, exploded from the start of their reply with former Guyana players Jaimini Singh (51) and Sunil Dhaniram (21) adding 41 in the first three overs and by the end of the first 10, they were 120 for two. Singh’s innings included one four and five sixes.

More fireworks were to come after the break with Mohan Harihar, who along with Dhaniram, returned to Canada two days prior to the match after representing the West Indies Over-50 team in the Marlboro Cup, blasting six sixes and a four in a quickfire 41 off a mere 12 balls as the Pegasus Storm bowlers found no answers to the onslaught.

Useful knocks also came from Gerard Austin with an unbeaten 23 (one four and two sixes), Hazari Girdharry whose 22 included three sixes and a four, Roy Brittania (20) and skipper Jesh Parasnauth who hit the winning runs, 17 not out. Fazil Shakoor was Pegasus Storm best bowler with two for 17 from his three overs.

In the other Over-50 game, played the same day, Friendship Masters defeated the winless Remax All Stars while leaders Ramblers Rampage got a walkover from Dirty Dozen.

In Saturday’s next round of matches, Pegasus Storm will battle Remax All Stars at Dean Park, Toronto Blizzards take on Dirty Dozen at Littles while Ramblers Rampage engage Friendship Masters St Bede. (Frederick Halley)