THE 2025 Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) season climaxes on Sunday at the St Bede ground, Scarborough, Toronto, Canada with the Over-40 final featuring Carr Tec Sports Club and Better Hope in what is expected to be a mouth-watering affair.

Unlike previous years, when the teams were placed in two categories – Divisions One and Two, they were “bunched” together in the 2025 season.
The semi-finals, played over two weekends ago, saw Carr Tec romping to an impressive seven-wicket victory over Reliance Lions at Littles Field and Better Hope stunning Masters, who captured the season championship, at St Bede.

Led by a brilliant undefeated 134-run fourth-wicket partnership between former Guyana Under-19 players, Eion Katchay (55 not out) and Troy Gobin who was on 54 when victory was achieved, Carr Tec reached the required target of 211 after Reliance Lions made a respectable 210 for five in their allotted 20 overs. Another former Guyana Under-19 player, Rovendra Mandolall was also among the runs with a fine 43 which contained three fours and four sixes.

Carr Tec were shakily placed at 42 for two before Katchay and Mandolall added 35 for the third wicket. The demise of the latter set the stage for a fine display of sensible batting between Katchay and Gobin who ensured no further alarms.

Katchay slammed three fours and fours sixes while Gobin’s innings was decorated with two fours and fours sixes.
Earlier, Richard Latif, known in softball circles as “Mr. Cricket, lived up to his reputation with a pulsating 88 not out, clobbering three fours and seven sixes in the process. He received valuable support from former Guyana youth player Raja Pooran who hit an undefeated 51, sharing an enterprising 132-run partnership. Pooran’s knock was spiced by a four and six sixes off a mere 15 balls.

Katchay was Carr Tec’s best bowler, picking up two wickets while conceding 28 runs in his two-over spell.
Over at St Bede, the adjoining ground, Better-Hope won the toss and invited Masters to take first strike.

Masters were restricted to 130 for six in their 20 overs with Better Hope reaching the required target with eight balls to spare, losing five wickets in the process.
Looknauth “Colgate” Ramsuchit was unbeaten on a responsible 37 when victory was achieved.

He received solid support from opener Azam Haniff who scored 28 as Andy Persaud claimed two for 11 from three overs.
When Masters batted, they struggled throughout their innings with Yadram ‘Bogh’ Lara showing some resistance with an unbeaten 37 and Sheik Khan hitting 32. (Frederick Halley)