By Frederick Halley
TWO new champions were crowned in Divisions 1 and 2 when the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) 2022 season climaxed at the Ashtonbee Reservoir Numbers One and Two grounds respectively last Sunday.

With defending champions Canadian Legends unable to defend their Division 1 crown after suffering a semi-final loss to eventual winners Rebels, who turned back the challenge of Warriors, newcomers Carr Tec thrashed United to emerge winners in Division 2.

Both winners were indebted to two outstanding innings, the left-handed Chris Vernon, with a brilliant undefeated 77 leading the charge for Rebels and the veteran Suresh Persaud smashing a boundary-studded 92 for Carr Tec.

After losing the scalps of Eion Katchay (six), Zaheer Haniff (15) and Richard Driffield (0) with only 51 on the board, Rebels owed their recovery to a fine third-wicket partnership of 110 between Vernon and Ian Baldeo (33) as they reached a challenging 174 for four in their allotted 20 overs.

Vernon’s knock included two fours and seven sixes while Baldeo counted two fours and two sixes. The wily Terry Mathura was his team’s best bowler with two for 22 while Avinash Singh took one for seven and Rabindra Diaram one for 17.

Rebels, who defeated Hawaiian Sensation in the semi-final the previous weekend and who hold an enviable record of contesting six consecutive finals, suffered immediate setbacks, slipping to 13 for four in the first three overs.

They never recovered from that precarious position despite a fighting knock of 30 from skipper Rakesh Dial who struck a four and two sixes. Rovendra Mandolall, on whom much depended, made a disappointing 11 as Warriors were dismissed for 141 in 18 overs, losing by 31 runs.

Kumar Doodnauth, who caused the early damage, ended with the impressive figures of three for 21 while Driffield and Katchay claimed two for 19 each.

In the Division 2 final, Persaud was in a no-nonsense mood, blasting two fours and 11 massive sixes in his 92 as Carr Tec reached a commanding 221 for four in 20 overs.

He was well supported by fellow opener Anand Nirmal who struck a four and four sixes while Anil Veerasammy hit a quick-fire 34 with six sixes before going via run-out. Rudy Ramdayal ended with two for 24.

United made a spirited reply with openers Sharaz Hamid stroking two fours and seven sixes in 55 and Ramdayal a four and three sixes in 36 while Fazil Rasool chipped in with an undefeated 36 as they were left high and dry on 174 for six when their 20 overs expired. Imtiaz Abjal claimed two of the wickets.

The respective MVPs were Vernon (Warriors) and Persaud (Carr Tec).

Several special awards were also handed out during the impressive presentation ceremony. In Division 1, former Guyana National captain Damodar Daesrath (Hawiian Sensation) took the prize for the highest ranked player while also claiming the most wickets while Chien Gittens (Canadian Legends) scored the most runs (275) to claim that prize.

In Division 2, Leguan Island’s Vishaul Balram was the highest ranked player and scored the most runs (429) while Patrick Shivrattan of Ramblers took the most wickets (12).

Media personnel Frederick Halley and Ravi Madholall were also presented with plaques in recognition for their coverage of the tournament.

Among the several sponsors were Trophy Stall (Canada) and Oil Changers.