TORONTO Rhinos Cricket Club defied the odds to emerge winners of the Elite Division when the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) 2024 final took place at the newly renovated Ajax Cricket Club ground last Sunday.
Having already defeated archrivals Invaders Cricket Club in the semi-final, the team responsible for them finishing as runners-up in the 2023 Premier Division, Rhinos made easy work of Ambassadors Sports Club in the final, winning by the huge margin of 107 runs.

The victory also meant Rhinos achieved the feat in their first year in the Elite Division, after being promoted this year.
Needing 201for victory, after limiting Rhinos to 200 all out in 46.2 overs in the 50-over affair, Ambassadors were shut out for a meagre 93 in 23.4 overs.
Opener Richard Dias top-scored for Ambassadors, hitting two fours and a six in his 40 and apart from Kavian Naress, who scored a defiant 24, the rest of the batting folded to the varied Rhinos bowling attack.

Bowling for Rhinos, Rishabh Singh claimed three for 23, Sajan Sissodiya two for none in his lone over and Amir Khan one for 24 in five.
Earlier, Rhinos were indebted to Vivek Dabholia who hit three fours in his 48, skipper Khan whose 47 contained five fours and one maximum and Muhammad Ultaf who spanked a quick-fire 33 off 25 balls, aided with two fours and two sixes. Opener Arjun also contributed a valuable 27 (two fours and two sixes).

Shuaib Alam Zaidi was Ambassadors best bowler with four for 33 in 9,2 overs while Durand Soraine supported with three for 42 from his full quota of 10 overs.
In the semi-final encounters, played the previous day, Rhinos won from Invaders while Ambassadors got the better of Highland Creek in a close contest.
Set 171 for victory, after Invaders were restricted to 167 all out in 41.3 overs, Rhinos raced to 170 for five in 27.5 overs with Ultaf plundering three fours and seven sixes in an unbeaten 63 off 28 balls.

Highland Creek batted first and were bowled out for 188 in 39.4 overs. Hassan Khan hit a top score of 59. Kurt Ramdath finished with the remarkable figures of four for nine from seven overs while Emile Rajah took four for 34 from 10. Ambassadors reached the required target in 46 overs, losing eight wickets in the process. Naress was undefeated on 63 (four fours) when victory was achieved.

At the presentation ceremony, SCA President, Guyana-born Shiv Persaud congratulated both teams on reaching the final. He also had special praise for Rhinos for winning the title on their first attempt. Persaud also reminded the players that the annual presentation, dinner and dance will be held at the Grand Cinnamon Banquet Hall in Markham on Saturday, November 23.