… Hawaiian Sensation reach Over-40 semis

TROY Gobin’s phenomenal run in the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Over-50 tournament continued last Saturday with the former Guyana Under-19 player hitting his second century of the 2022 season, as Pegasus Storm made light work of Dirty Dozen in their final-round, regular season clash at the St Bede ground in Toronto, Canada.

The prolific Gobin, who shared an opening stand of 136 in 13 overs with Jito Narine, who blasted 78 off a mere 37 balls with three fours and eight sixes, spanked 11 fours and six sixes in his knock which came off 55 balls before retiring, as Pegasus Storm reached a commanding 230 for four in their allotted 20 overs.

In response, Dirty Dozen were restricted to 145 for six in their 20 overs with skipper Colin Mohamid and Naresh Bodo top-scoring with 32 runs each. Nirad Lall and Orlando Deonarine claimed two for 19 and 27 respectively.

Gobin’s innings also ensured he retained the title as the leading scorer in the Over-50 category after finishing at the top last year. He ended the regular season with 445 runs from nine matches with an average of 89.00 and a strike rate of 138.20, some 224 ahead of his teammate Narine, who finished on 221 with an average of 73.67 and a strike rate of 188.89.

Ramblers Rampage’s Dennis Hansraj was third with 215 runs, averaging 53.75 with s strike rate of 116.2.
With the regular season completed, attention has now turned to the playoffs which start on Saturday. Regular season champions Ramblers Rampage, who ended with 48 points and defending champions Toronto Blizzards (39) have drawn byes to the semi-finals.

In Saturday’s quarter-final encounters, Pegasus Storm will oppose Remax All Stars while Friendship Masters battle Dirty Dozen.
The semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday, August 20, and the grand final the following Saturday, August 27.

Meanwhile, another Guyanese, Chien Gittens, continues to make waves in both the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) and OMSCC tournaments, churning out impressive performances.
Gittens, who was the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the Over-40 category while representing Regal Masters in the South Florida tournament in March, singlehandedly led Canadian Legends to victory in the first round of the 15-over knockout tournament, played at Ashtonbee Reservoir 2 last Saturday.

The flamboyant right-hander, who opened the batting in pursuit of Leguan Warriors’ 116 for six, made in their allotted overs, remained unbeaten on 72 when victory was achieved in 12 overs. He struck five fours and five sixes as Canadian Legends reached 118 for four.

Earlier, another Guyanese, Krishna Deosarran spanked two fours and seven sixes in an entertaining knock of 66 not out but got little help from the Leguan Warriors top-order.
Canadian Legends also won their second game on Sunday and will clash with Carr-Tec in the lone semi-final, set for Saturday. The winners meet unbeaten Mercenaries in Sunday’s final.

In a key final round match of the OMSCC Over-40 Division One tournament, played at Mother Theresa Catholic School ground on Sunday, Hawaiian Sensation defeated archrivals Warriors by 28 runs to advance to the semi-finals and are likely to face the same opposition this coming Sunday.

Taking first strike, Hawaiian Sensation reached a challenging 171 for eight with man-of-the-match Mohan Harihar hitting a top-score of 38. Harihar, who recently represented the West Indies Over-50 team in England, hit five fours and two sixes in his quick-fire knock.

Former Guyana National captain, Damodar Daesrath, supported with 30 (4×4, 2×6). Shadeek Khan and Andy Persaud claimed two for 19 and 27 respectively.
Warriors, in reply, were restricted to 143 all out in 20 overs with 41 resulting from extras. Imran Ali took three for 26, Mahendranauth ‘Bobby’ Parasnauth two for 10 and Linden Persaud two for 23.
Hawaiian Sensation were the Division Two champions in 2019 and lost to Warriors in the Division One semis last year. (Frederick Halley)