By Frederick Halley

GYRATING to the sounds of DJ Bravo’s “Champion,” GTA Storm players and ardent supporters were in ecstatic mood last Saturday afternoon after skipper Troy Gobin fittingly hit the winning boundary to solidify their victory against Toronto Blizzards in the final of the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Over-50 Legends tournament, played at the St Bede ground, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.

The win marked the defending champions second consecutive over the same opponents over the past two weeks, following their close encounter in the final of the Ontario Twilight Softball Cricket League (OTSCL) Canada Cup encounter, played at Ashtonbee Reservoir over the Labour Day weekend.
Unlike the Canada Cup final, however, GTA Storm won emphatically, triumphing by seven wickets in the 20-over contest. Chasing 157 for victory after restricting Toronto Blizzards to 156 for six, GTA Storm reached 160 for three in 17.3 overs.
Like in the Canada Cup final, the hero was once again Richard Driffield who seems to have a penchant for “big games.” Driffield followed up his brilliant all-round display from two weeks ago with another marvellous batting performance. The elegant southpaw stroked an effortless 60, studded with seven fours and a six but was unfortunately dismissed with the scores level.

Driffield shared an opening stand of 39 in four overs with Uniss Yusuf (18) and a match-winning second wicket partnership of 82 with Jito Narine (22). The latter, who departed with the score on 121 for two in the 15th over, hit a solitary six in his knock.
When it seemed like Driffield and Ian “Russian” Baldeo (14 with one six and a four) were set to “bring home the bacon,” Driffield went well caught by Abdool Azeez at mid-off, allowing his skipper to promptly hit the next delivery off Lalchand Shivraj through mid-wicket for four, sparking wild celebrations in the GTA Storm camp.

Earlier, Toronto Blizzards, who were asked to take first strike, were reeling at 39 for four in the eighth over before a fine rescue act by Jaimini Singh (44) and Avinash Singh (35) saved them further embarrassment. Mixing aggression with solid defence, the two added exactly 100 for the fifth wicket but once they were separated in the 18th and 19th over respectively, only 17 runs were added in the closing stages. Jaimini, who faced 38 balls, smashed four fours and two sixes in his knock while Avinash’s innings included one four and three sixes off 30 balls.

Orlando Deonarine finished with two for 18 from his three overs while Gobin, who got the prized scalp of Sunil Dhaniram, comprehensively bowled for eight in the fourth over, took one for 20 and Gavin Glasgow one for 22.
At the impressive presentation ceremony, Driffield was named MVP of the final for GTA Storm, his second in a row following his recognition in the Canada Cup while the honour for Toronto Blizzards went to Jaimini Singh. Both received trophies, compliments of TDMJ Accounting and Tax Services, owned by Terry and Jasdavi Mathura.

GTA skipper Gobin, while obviously pleased with the performances of his players, pointed out that cricket was the winner, the same sentiments expressed by captain Bobby Parasnauth of Toronto Blizzards who also declared that his side was completely outplayed by a better team on the day.
Owners, Nirad Lall and Naseer Baksh of GTA Storm and Toronto Blizzards respectively showered praises on their charges for putting up a good show on a Saturday afternoon, blessed with brilliant sunshine.
The match also marked a special milestone for veteran Jai Singh, a former president of the OMSCC who had the distinction of being a part of three championship teams this season – GTA Storm in the Canada Cup and OMSCC Legends and Better Hope in the OMSCC B Division.
OMSCC President Azeem Khan, expressed sincere appreciation and congratulations to the GTA Storm for retaining the title with a resounding victory. “My hats off to both teams for displaying true, competitive sportsmanship that was witnessed by an appreciative crowd under glorious weather.” He was also appreciative of the several sponsors.

“Under the determined and focussed leadership of a true and proven all-rounder, Troy Gobin, flanked by former OMSCC Presidents and outstanding cricketers, Jai Sigh and Orin O’Neil, with invaluable support from the management viz, manager Frederick Halley and owner, Nirad Lall, the GTA Storm has certainly carved their name in OMSCC Over-50 History Book of Champions.”