YADRAM Bogh’s Lara XI carted off the inaugural Canada
Softball Bash 10/10 tournament which ended at the
Greenbriar ground, Brampton Ontario on Sunday, September
20. Lara XI proved their superiority, playing unbeaten in the
preliminary round the previous day. They survived a last
ball thriller with Toronto Softball Cricket Club (TSCC) in
their semi-final encounter before trouncing the Northern
Warriors with two balls to spare in a nail-biting final.
Set 84 for victory, after limiting Northern Warriors to 83 all out
in their allotted 10 overs, Lara XI were given a rollicking start
of 61 in eight overs by Man-of-the-match Bogh (32 not out) and
Anil Etwaroo (35). Etwaroo struck a four and three sixes while
Bogh’s knock contained one four and two sixes. Skipper Shaun
Deonandan (15 not out) ensured victory was achieved without
any further alarms.
Members of Lara X1 pose with their winnings
Earlier, Northern Warriors innings never got going, as they lost wickets at regular
intervals with Faheer Juman’s 18 (one four and two sixes) being the top score.
Bowling for the Lara XI, Shazam Baksh (three for 28), Mohan Harihar (two for 18)
and Deonandan (two for 21) were the main destroyers.
Northern Warriors, had also entered the semi-finals unbeaten. They then
triumphed over the upstarts Canadian Legends by 11 runs after the Mohan Singh
side had won their opening two matches and harboured thoughts of going home
with the $4000 (Can) first prize and the Prem Punwasi sponsored winning trophy.
In their semi-final encounter, Northern Warriors made light
work of Canadian Legends, limiting them to 66 for nine, the
lowest total of the day as they stoutly defended their 77 for six,
made in the allotted 10 overs. Skipper Loaknauth Ramsuchit led
from the front for the winners with an enterprising 37 (one four
and four sixes),
One of the main highlights of the day was a brutal display of
power-hitting by the burly Farook Hussain against the Lara XI.
He bludgeoned nine huge sixes and three fours in scoring 74,
albeit in a losing cause as his team TSCC failed to defend their
102 for four, made in the allotted 10 overs. Eventual winners
Lara XI reached the target off the last delivery as they rallied to
victory in the face of some poor round arm bowling displays by
their opponents.
At the presentation ceremony, which followed at the Cabana
Restaurant & Lounge, Mississauga, Lara XI collected $4000
(Can) and the winning trophy. Runners-up Northern Warriors
were rewarded with $1000 and a trophy.
Shaun Deonandan (Lara XI) was adjudged the Player of the
Tournament while additional incentive prizes were also
awarded to Nick Sarwan (Double Trouble) – Best Catch; Farook
Hussain (TSCC) – Best Batsman; Anil Mahadeo (Lara X1) Best
Bowler; Randy Roopnarine (Double Trouble) Best Fielder and
Zaheer Allard (Lara X1) Best Wicket-Keeper.
Organizer Rajesh Willie assured that the tournament will
be expanded next year. He also indicated that next year’s
Tournament will be played over the 2021 Labour day holiday
weekend with the winners guaranteed a whopping $10,000.
This year’s tournament was played with white balls. Teams
were required to bowl at least two of their allocated overusing
the round arm method.
Lara XI Wins Inaugural Canada Softball Bash
