By Frederick Halley

AN entertaining day, organised by the Guyana Festival Committee, to mark Guyana’s 58th attainment of Independence, was marred somewhat by a downpour just after 16:30 hours last Saturday brining a halt to the outdoor proceedings at the St Bede ground in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.
By the time the rain had eased, the ground was too waterlogged to continue the softball (flick) final between Better Hope and the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) X1 with the former in the ascendancy, having their opponents reeling at 13 for four after three overs in the 10-over contest.
Andy Persaud led the Better Hope bowling attack with three for two while the other wicket was claimed by skipper Sunil Ramkissoon for two runs. The two teams were forced to share the championship trophy.

There was however no sharing in the round-arm category as Cambridge Jaguars defeated Vikings by six wickets to claim the coveted title.

The participating teams and spectators were earlier greeted by Guyana’s Vice-president Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who took the time to pose with several groups during his walk about, accompanied by Guyana’s High Commissioner to Canada, Keith George and members of the Guyana Festival Committee.
Led by consistent opener Patrick Rooplall, who slammed seven sixes in an unbeaten 48 off 21 balls, 31 off nine balls, with five sixes from Riaz Kadir and 31 from Richard Latiff off 12 balls with one four and four sixes, Cambridge Jaguars rushed to 117 for four in 7.4 overs, chasing Vikings’ 115 for four in their allotted 10 overs. Avish Rukhram claimed three for 29.

Earlier, Amit Rukhram hit 37 (five sixes), Avish Rukhram 28 (one four and four sixes) and Avinash Sookdeo 20 (three sixes) in a losing cause as Latiff completed a fine all-round performance. Rooplall was adjudged player of the final.
Vikings qualified for the final of the three-team competition with an easy 71-run victory over Apex Predators. Taking first strike, Vikings hit an imposing 135 for four in their 10 overs with Amit Rukhram (41), Sookdeo (39) and Avish Rukhram (20) leading the assault.
Apex Predators, in reply, could only muster 64 for nine when their 10 overs expired with Doodnauth Sittaram returning the remarkable figures of six for two.

The flick semi-final saw Better Hope breezing past Ramblers by the huge margin of 81 runs after opener Sheik Mohamed blasted two four and seven sixes in 63 off a mere 26 balls while Anil Samuel supported with 28 (three fours and two sixes) as Better Hope reached a formidable 136 for four in their 10 overs. Anil Veerasammy bagged two for 16.

Ramblers, in reply, could only managed 55 for six with Kevin Balkarran (14) being the only batter to reach double figures. Desmond Ram ended with two for three.
At the presentation ceremony, the winning and runners-up teams were awarded trophies and medals, compliments of Trophy Stall, Canada. The four umpires – Frederick Halley, Seeram Singh, Robert Dias and Outar Dindial also received medals.
Zakir Khan, who led the OSCL X1, was the lucky winner of the Caribbean Airlines ticket to Guyana and collected his prize from representative Nazie Mohamed. He also got a monetary award from High Commissioner George.
Apart from greeting the teams at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Guyana Festival Sports Committee, Shiv Persaud also extended sincere gratitude to them for making the celebrations a success. Persaud, who is also President of the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA), thanked all the teams for participating and making the celebrations a success. He also commended online scorers, Natasha Sue and Christine Jereso for their efforts in “making a smooth and seamless day for all and kept everyone involved by following the games.”