AFTER relinquishing the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) T-10 title last season, Mercenary returned to winners’ row last Saturday, inflicting a eight-wicket victory over archrivals Caribbean Sensation at the St Bede ground in Scarborough, Ontario.
Set a modest 71 for victory, after restricting their opponents to 70 for eight in their allotted 10 overs, the dominating Mercenary achieved the required target in 7.5 overs.
The victors suffered a hiccup after just five deliveries, losing the wicket of opener Azam Haniff, who went caught by Davo Ramsawak off Andy Persaud without any runs on the board.
However, the consistent Avinash Sookdeo (21) and Richard Dias (29 not out) steadied the innings, adding 43 for the second wicket before the former departed after smashing two sixes in his 18-ball 21.
Dias, who struck three fours and two sixes in his unbeaten knock and Riaz Kadir, who hit two fours in 12 not out, ensured no further alarms as Mercenary reached 72 for two in 7.5 overs and with it, the coveted championship. Ramsawak finished with one for seven while Andy Persaud took one for 14.

Earlier, after winning the toss and batting, Caribbean Sensation struggled throughout their innings with only Rishi Ram Samuel (21) and Anand Balwant (13) reaching double figures. Both batsmen struck one four and a six. An inexplicable five run outs didn’t help their cause. Sookdeo (one for five), Amit Rukhram (one for 10) and Satrohan Balkarran (one for 15) were the wicket-takers.
The tournament, which was once again sponsored by Norman Sue Bakery and played in memory of the late OSCL stalwart Vish Jadunauth, saw both the winning and runners-up teams receiving trophies. Members of the winning teams were presented with gold medals while runners-up collected silver.

Sookdeo was adjudged man-of-the-match for the winning teams while the honours for the losing team went to Kelvin Shivrattan.
Defending champions Better Hope were eliminated in the semi-finals by Caribbean Sensation.

OSCL President Shiv Persaud congratulated both teams for reaching the final. He also recognised them for being the best two teams throughout the tournament. Persaud acknowledged that Mercenary was the better team on the day after outplaying their opponents.
The OSCL President wished both teams success in the upcoming Albert Ramcharran 15-over knockout, starting on July 20 and the remainder of the Kenny Girdharry 20-over regular season.
Apart from Persaud, the other OSCL executive present was Rabindra Diaram – Registrar/Statistician/Webmaster. Representatives from the tournament sponsor, Norman Sue Bakery present were Kim Sue and Natasha Sue.
Persaud extended special thanks to Norman Sue Bakery for its continued support of the OSCL. “The entity has been a key supporter of the league for many years, and we look forward to its future support.” He urged all teams to support the sponsors since without them, “we would be challenged financially to continue operating.”

Umpires Albert Ramcharran and Outar Dindial also came in for special praise for officiating in the final.
Kim Sue, who spoke on behalf of the sponsors, congratulated the teams which participated in the competition and applauded Mercenary for emerging victorious. She also gave the assurance that Norman Sue Bakery will continue its sponsorship because of the support it receives from the teams in the league. (Frederick Halley)