… Canada Cup 1 ends on successful note

By Frederick Halley
TORONTO Blizzards lived up to their pre-tournament bidding to emerge winners of the Legends Over-50 category when the Ontario Twilight Softball Cricket League (OTSCL) inaugural three-day Canada Cup ended on a successful note at the Ashtonbee Reservoir ground, Scarborough, Canada last Sunday.

Watched by hundreds under murky skies and the threat of rain hovering the venue for most of the day, the highly-touted Toronto Blizzards, comprising several former Guyana players, proved superior to the New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) side, whipping them by 24 runs.

The victory also followed their triumph the previous weekend when they carted off the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Over-50 title, defeating Ramblers Rampage at the same venue in a high-scoring contest. They were also the winners in the last edition of the Toronto Cup when they won from New York Hustlers at the University of Toronto ground in September 2019.

Chasing a victory target of 157, after Toronto Blizzards opted to bat first and reached a challenging 156 for eight in their allotted 20 overs, NYSCL were left high and dry on 132 for four when their 20 overs expired.

Reeling at 23 for three in the seventh over, after losing the wickets of openers Takechand Madoo (three), Tony Fernandes (10) and Dexter Hooper for a first-ball duck, NYSCL were given a boost with a brilliant fourth-wicket partnership of 106 between Ravi Sahadeo (55) and Tuladeo Tribhuwan and looked set to pull off an upset.

Once Sahadeo went brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Gerard Austin off Jess Parasnauth, after spanking three fours and three sixes, in the 18th over, all hopes of victory quickly evaporated. Tribhuwan, who struck four fours and a six, was left unbeaten on a solid 40 while Sydney Jackma Jr (one) was the other batter to be dismissed, also caught by Austin off Shazam ‘Strike’ Baksh.

Lal ‘Dingo’ Singh, who engineered the early collapse, finished with the impressive figures of two for 10 from his four overs while Baksh took one for 20 and Parasnauth one for 32.

Earlier, Toronto Blizzards were given a fine start of 65 between the consistent Sunil Dhaniram (32) and Parasnauth (21) with the former Guyana player Dhaniram hitting a four and two sixes in his knock while Parasnauth was needlessly run-out after looking well set. They, however, failed to kick on as Shiv Seeram (22), Mohan Harihar and Austin (12) played brief cameos but seemed impeded by the nature of the pitch.

Tribuwhan, who was later named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for NYSCL, took three for 19, while there was one wicket each for Doodnauth Maniram, Manniram Doodnauth and Ivor Chan for 24, 26 and 38 runs respectively.

Toronto Blizzards, who played unbeaten during the three days of competition, defeated Orlando Legends in Saturday’s semi-final while NYSCL got the better of Trophy Stall Legends who surprised many with victories over Pegasus Storm and Ramblers Rampage.

Apart from copping the winning trophy, Toronto Blizzards walked away with the Cdn$4000 while each player collected a trophy. Lal ‘Dingo’ Singh took home the MVP trophy while Dhaniram, who registered a century in the semi-final, was also rewarded for his efforts.

Among those in attendance at Sunday’s presentation ceremony were Toronto’s Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson, Scarborough Ward 25 Councillor Jennifer McKelvie and Guyana’s Consul General (ag) to Toronto, Gerald Whyte.

Both Thompson and McKelvie praised the OTSCL for keeping the grassroots sport alive and promised assistance once they are re-elected in next month’s Toronto Municipal elections. McKelvie also presented a Certificate of Appreciation to OTSCL president Azeem Khan.

The certificate read: ‘Congratulations on the successful completion of Canada Cup 1 softball tournament. Please accept my best wishes on behalf of the City of Toronto and the residents of Scarborough – Rouge Park”.

Khan also received a plaque from Trophy Stall (Guyana) proprietor Ramesh Sunich which read: “In commendation and appreciation of Azeem Karamat for his sterling and visionary leadership and contribution to the promotion of softball cricket in Canada”.