– will face West Division champion, Cricketers Cove, on Sunday
By Ravendra Madholall
East Coast Cricket Club emerged with a thrilling two-run win over arch-rivals Caribbean Sensation on Sunday at the Ellesmere ground in the East Divisions final.
They will now meet West Division finalist Cricketers Cove on Sunday at Lancaster Public School ground in the grand finale to round off the 2013 Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) 20-over softball tournament.
East Coast batted first and scored a challenging 104-7 from the allotment of 20 overs while Caribbean Sensation were agonisingly left hanging at 102-9 when the overs expired.
Mark Moosaie and Ray Moosaie began things nicely for the East Coast combination, putting on a solid 50-run opening stand while former Guyana under-19 cricketer Krishna Deosaran also chipped with a contribution of 12.
Mark top scored with 27, which counted two sixes while Ray supported with 14 runs as Manbolall Doodnauth captured two wickets for 22 runs from his maximum four overs. Gavin Glasgow also nabbed two wickets for 23 runs from four overs.
When Caribbean Sensation batted they began their chase dangerously losing three quick wickets until skipper and the experienced Richard Duffield and Anand Balwant participated in fighting 38-run fourth-wicket stand.
But once they were separated, the innings further decline. Duffield struck a four and six in his 28 while Balwant reached the boundary on a solitary occasion during his 17-ball 14.
Andy Persaud and Anil Persaud grabbed two wickets for 22 and 24 runs respectively off their allotted four overs while Most Valuable Player Anand Gurdial took one for 10 from his four-over spell. Gurdial took two spectacular catches.
Duffield was adjudged the MVP for the losers, for his top score and received a trophy.
At the simple presentation ceremony after the match, president of the League, Albert Ramcharran, congratulated both teams for their entertainment. He promised that, the grand finale would be exciting.
The Guyanese Ramcharran highlighted the importance of discipline, and assured that he and his executives will continue to work hard to make the game of softball go from strength to strength in North America.
Meanwhile, the victorious captain Rakesh Dyal stated that he was very satisfied with his team’s performance and is very confident the guys will lift the championships trophy on Sunday.
Cricketers Cove is the defending champion and senior player Ejaz Mohamed, a former Guyana youth player expressed optimism that his players will maintain their winning record.
He declared that several experienced players are anxious to make an impression. His former Guyana under-19 player Troy Gobin is expected to play a pivotal role while Vijay Persaud and Kumar Doodnauth are the other players who are capable of dominating.
The presentation of trophies and prizes will be done on November 2 in Scarborough and Consul General for Guyana in Toronto Sattie Sawh is expected to grace the occasion.
