QUARTER-final matches in the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Over-50 tournament are set to bowl off on Saturday at four venues around the Greater Toronto Area with defending champions GTA Storm and last year’s runners-up Toronto Blizzards seemingly set for a replay of last year’s final.

Following the completion of the preliminary round of matches, the unbeaten Toronto Blizzards lead the point standings with 39 points, three more than GTA Storm whose only defeat came at the hands of Ramblers Rampage, a team they are likely to face in the semi-finals. Both Ramblers Rampage and Canadian Legends tallied 30 points, the former placing third with a better net run rate.

In Saturday’s encounters, Toronto Blizzards clash with Seatown Sports Club at Littles, GTA Storm battle Friendship Masters at St Bede, Ramblers Rampage oppose Remax All Stars at Dean Park and Canadian Legends meet Dirty Dozen at Ashtonbee Reservoir.
Prior to being dethroned in last year’s nail-biting final, played at Ashtonbee Reservoir, Toronto Blizzards ruled the roost in the Over-50 Division for five years and are aiming to regain top honours. Ironically, the two finalists from last year were scheduled to meet in the opening round of this year’s tournament but the weather had the final say in that encounter.

A notable change in Toronto Blizzards lineup for the 2024 season is the inclusion of all-rounder Mahendranauth “Bobby” Parasnauth who has also took over the captaincy role. The batting once again hinges around the likes of Sunil Dhaniram, Shiv Seeram, Jaimini Singh Desmond Chumney and Mohan Harihar.

Parasnauth will also lead the bowling attack with support from Avinash Singh, Jesh Parasnauth, Wallie Bacchus and Lal “Dingo” Singh.
Since returning to Toronto, following a three-year absence, the prolific Uniss Yusuf is still to be dismissed in three innings, registering scores of 94, 102 and 89 and along with skipper Troy Gobin, who also leads the GTA Storm batting with 342 runs, the two form a dynamic opening pair for the defending champions. Ian “Russian” Baldeo, Richard Driffield, Jai Singh, Jito Narine and Ken Itwaru present a formidable batting lineup. Gobin, Jerry Brittania, Driffield, Itwaru and Yusuff are also capable bowlers.

The overall batting stats is led by Ramblers Rampage’s Navin Bhup with 371 runs while Mokeem Sattaur of the same team leads the bowling with 10 wickets so teams should be aware of taking them lightly.
Saturday’s matches bowl off at 14:30 hours while the semis will be played on September 7 following a break for the Canada Cup. The final is set for Saturday, September 14.