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The first Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) cricket tournament took place on Monday (May 30, 2016) at Etobicoke’s Centennial Park. Six teams from five schools participated in Catholic Secondary Schools (CSS) competition, won by Jean Vanier CSS and two Catholic Elementary Schools (CES) met to decide the first Elementary School champions, won by Blessed Sacrament CES.
Rising Star Academy of Excellence sponsored and supported this championship. Rising Star’s leadership acted as umpires and scorers.
According to TDCSB Community Relations Officer Mr. Everton Lewis cricket has been played at Blessed Sacrament CES and St Maria Goretti CES for many years, but he believed this was the first time the two schools had played against each other. Blessed Sacrament scored 57 runs then held off the challenge of St Maria Gorietti, who replied with 53 runs, to win by 4 runs.
Jean Vanier CSS won Pool B in the Secondary Schools championship with wins against Blessed Cardinal Newman (28-27) and Michael Power/St Joseph. Blessed Cardinal Newman beat Michael Power/St Joseph to place second in Pool B and qualify for the playoff to decide third place.
There was a late change in Pool A with Jean Vanier’s B team substituting for Father Henry Carr. Mary Ward beat Jean Vanier B team 14-13 in a low scoring opening game but then lost (33-29) to Monsignor Percy Johnson. Msgr Percy Johnson beat Jean Vanier B team 37-21 in the last game in the Pool A schedule to head the standings and qualify for the Secondary Schools championship game.
Mary Ward won the third-place playoff against Blessed Cardinal Newman by 2 runs. Mary Ward’s 42 proved just enough against the Blessed Cardinal Newman’s 40.
Jean Vanier- champions
Jean Vanier’s bowling and fielding put early pressure on Monsignor Percy Johnson’s batting, who reached a total of 37 runs from 8 overs in the Final. Opening bats Sarujan (16 runs, with 2 sixes and 1 four) and Jeremy (14 runs, including 1 six and 1 four) soon powered Jean Vanier to capture this first TCDSB cricket competition final. Jean Vanier clipped 39 for no wicket within 4 overs.
Two sets of Individual awards for batting, bowling and most valuable player in the Secondary Schools competition as the teams included boys and girls. The girls individual awards were presented to: Jessica (Best Bowling), Mikela (Best Batting) and Angela (Most Valuable Player). The boys individual awards went to: Naviska (Best Bowling), Sarujan (Best Batting) and Jeremy (Most Valuable Player).
So a successful start for the first official TCDSB cricket competition on a hot, sunny day at Centennial Park.