Toronto Blizzards have been crowned champions of the 2021 Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Over-50 tournament after beating Cosmos Sports Club on Saturday at Ashtonbee Park in Scarborough.
Blizzards made a respectable and formidable 182-5 from the 20 overs, while Cosmos Sports were 45-3 in 10 overs when rain intervened and halted proceedings. Due to a better net run-rate, Blizzards were declared winners.
During their time at the crease, Shiv Seeram slammed a top-score of 70, laced with five sixes and three fours.
Captain and former Guyana first-class player Sunil Dhaniram, who won the toss and opted to bat, contributed 42, which consisted of three sixes and four fours.
The left-right combination of Dhaniram and Seeram respectively paid great dividends for the team, as they posted an enterprising 97-run opening stand.
Essequibian Jaimini Singh supported with 20, as Daron Mahase captured 2-12 off two overs, while there was one apiece for Terry Mathura, Paul and Monty Das, and Richard Driffield.
When Cosmos Sports batted, they struggled against the experienced bowling lineup, which included stalwart Bobby Parasnauth. Driffield made a fighting 19, and 18 came from Suresh Persaud. Dhaniram proved his all-round capability by snapping up two wickets in conceding only eight runs, having sent down one over. Singh accounted for the other one.
And in the consolation game between Dirty Dozen and Friendship Masters, the former emerged victorious by an emphatic nine wickets also at Ashtonbee facility.
Friendship Masters only made 122 all out off 19.4 overs, while Dirty Dozen surpassed the target in the 15th over. Player-of-the-match, Canada-based Ganesh Ramraj, led the way with an unbeaten 83 for the championship side.
At the presentation function later in the day, the winning teams received trophies and medals. Seeram, a former Guyana youth cricketer who also represented Canada internationally, took home a trophy for his outstanding batting performance.
President of OMSCC, Paul Jaman, extended congratulations to the winners. He acknowledged the support of the sponsors as well. Meanwhile, the Division One and Two finals are to be played on Sunday at the same venue. The action is slated to commence from 13:00hrs. Canadian Legends will clash with the winner of the match between Warriors Cricket Club and Hawaiian Sensations. This game will precede the final.
And in the Division 2, United will match their skills with Seatown.
