By Frederick Halley

IN 2024, they were on the outside looking in. This year, they are the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Legends Over-50 champions.
Led by the experienced Mahendranauth “Bobby” Parsanauth and formed by Rakesh Dyal, who was also a first-time winner with defending champions, GTA Storm last year, Warriors defied the odds to emerge victorious in a lopsided final versus Toronto Blizzards, played last Saturday at the St. Bede ground, Scarborough, Toronto, Canada.

Led by a superb fourth-wicket partnership of 130 between former Guyana Under-19 player, Rovendra Mandolall and Ray Moosaie, Warriors reached a challenging 190 for five in their allotted 20 overs before restricting Toronto Blizzards to 136 for five, winning by the wide margin of 54 runs.
The two joined forces in the 11th over with their team on 50 for three and by the time Mandolall was forced to retire out in the 19th over, they had completely changed the complexion of the match in their pulsating partnership.

Known in softball circles as the “GOAT,” the Essequibian Mandolall, plundered four fours and seven huge sixes in his top score of 82 off 48 balls while the unassuming Moosaie was undefeated on 63 off 46, spiced with three fours and five sixes. Fazil Rasool was Toronto Blizzards best bowler with two for 23 from his three overs.
Toronto Blizzards, who were playing in their eighth consecutive finals and who lost the previous two to GTA Storm, were never up to the challenge, moreso with the loss of opener Sunil Dhaniram (seven) in the fourth over.

The experienced Jaimini Singh, who stroked three fours and a six in 35 and Lalchand Shivraj, who was undefeated on 33 with two sixes, added a face-saving 81 for the fourth wicket but Warriors were always in control of the game and duly delivered the “coup de grace.”
Mohamed Azeem Khan claimed two for 13 while there was one wicket each Rakesh Dyal and Rakesh Ramoutar.
At the presentation ceremony, which followed, Warriors copped the winning trophy, sponsored by Roger Sunich of Trophy Stall (Canada) while the two Most Valuable Players (MVP) trophies, awarded to Mandolall and Jaimini Singh, were sponsored by Jas and Terry Mathura of TDMJ Inc. Runner-up Toronto Blizzards were also the recipient of a trophy while players from both teams collected medals.

Warriors skipper Parasnauth, while obviously pleased with the performances of his players, pointed out that cricket was the winner. He disclosed that despite the struggles during their inaugural season, the players were well focused on the winning the title. Parasnauth also showered praises on the OMSCC for a well-run tournament.
Skipper Mohan Harihar admitted that Toronto Blizzards were completely outplayed by a better team and offered kudos to his opponents and the OMSCC.
The OMSCC, in the meantime, is in the process of celebrating its 25th year and as part of its celebratory efforts, all the executives – President Azeem Khan, Vice-president Hardatt Ramcharran, Secretary Amit Bacchus, Treasurer Khem Singh, Player Management/Statistician Terry Mathura and Umpires Coordinator Bobby Ramlagan were recipients of medals at the presentation ceremony.