THE Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) 2023 season climaxed at the Ellesmere ground, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada on Sunday with Better Hope romping to a narrow 4-run victory over Caribbean Sensation.

The dramatic Division A T-10 final was decided in the final delivery of the pulsating game.
Set 62 for victory, after limiting Better Hope to 61 for six in their allotted 10 overs, Caribbean Sensation suffered a middle and lower order melt down, losing six wickets for a mere 16 runs and were left high and dry on 57 for nine when their overs expired.

Caribbean Sensation, who also lost the T-15 final to Mercenaries, were undermined by a brilliant two-over spell from Hemchand “Nick” Sarwan who claimed three for nine after they looked well set to earn victory at 41 for three at the start of the seventh over.

Apart from skipper Anil Ramoutar (13), no other Caribbean Sensation batter reached double figures, most of them dismissed to reckless strokes and poor running between the wickets.
Sarwan received support from Avinash Singh, skipper Sunil Ramkissoon and Rakesh Ramoutar, who claimed a wicket apiece.
Wicket-keeper, Reyaz Prahalad also played a major role in his team’s win, effecting three run outs after he himself went via the run out route for a top score of 20, when Better Hope were inserted to bat first. Former Guyana Youth player, Harrinraine Chattergoon made a valuable 14.

Bowling for Caribbean Sensation, veteran Richard Driffield led the way with two for three in his two overs while there was one wicket each for Faheer Juman, Andy Persaud and Zakir Khan.
Sarwan and Driffield were the respective Most Valuable Players of the two sides while Prahalad will also be awarded a special prize for his brilliant all-round contribution.
At the presentation ceremony, which followed, OSCL President, Guyana-born Shiv Persaud showered praise on the Sue family for their long-standing sponsorship of softball cricket and other sports in the Canada. The tournament, which was played in memory of the late outstanding OSCL executive, Vish Jadunauth, received sponsorship from the popular Norman Sue Bakery.
The OSCL President pointed out that unlike in the past few years when Mercenaries dominated all the tournaments in Division A, this year saw three different winners in the division with Mercenaries winning the T20 regular season tournament and the T-15 title, Berbice Vipers carting off the T-20 Playoffs and Better Hope the T-10 crown. He said this augured well for the 2024 season as far as competitiveness is concerned.

Speaking on behalf of the Sue family, eldest daughter Kim said the family is once again delighted to be associated with the OSCL and pledged to maintain that association.
An emotional Ramkissoon, reminded those present that it was exactly 10 years since Better Hope won their last championship, which was also the T-10 tournament but they never gave up hope. He dedicated the victory to his dad and sponsor who he said played major roles in keeping the team together over the years. (Frederick Halley)