The Lara X1 team emerged victorious against their Northern Warriors counterparts in the inaugural “Canada Bash” ten-ten softball tournament played on Sunday at Greenbriar ground in Brampton, Toronto.
Shaun Deonandan was name player of the tournament
Northern Warriors had taken first strike in the match after winning the toss, and had posted a challenging 83 all out from the 10 overs faced; but the Lara X1 had replied emphatically with 84-1 in the 9th over.
Native Essequibian Anil Etwaroo led the way with an enterprising 35 for the Lara XI, while former Berbice Inter-county softball player Yadram ‘Lara’ Bogh supported with an unbeaten 32. Ex-Guyana youth player Shaun Deonandan also ‘shone’ at the end, making 15 not out.
For the Northern Warriors, Fareer Juman hit a top-score of 18, being the only batsman to offer a fight as wickets tumbled around him.
Shazam Baksh was the chief destroyer, taking three wickets for 28 runs from his maximum two overs. Mohan Harihar claimed two wickets in conceding 18 runs from two overs. Deonandan, who produced an excellent all-round performance in scoring 15 runs and taking two wickets for 21 runs in his two-over spell that helped bowl out the Warriors, was named player-of-the-match for his display.
The presentation ceremony that followed the game saw the Lara X1 collecting a trophy and Cdn$4,000, while the Warriors, as runners-up, pocketed Cdn$2,000 and collected a trophy as well. Besides collecting a trophy, Deonandan was given a specially-made diamond ring valued at Cdn$1,500 for his all-round performance.
Canada-based Guyanese Rajesh Willie, organiser of this two-day tournament which attracted six teams, said he was satisfied with the outcome, which he deemed a great success. He applauded the winners, and thanked all the teams for their participation.
Willie also informed that the tournament would be bigger next year, and that the most successful team would receive Cdn$10,000. Further, he mentioned that he is inviting participation from softball teams in Guyana.
