Hi all, I’d like you to recall the early days of canadacricket.com when the founder of this site, Mr Jon Harris and a young fellow by the name of Colin Mohammed tried to procure match reports and columns to help spread the word across the country. Jon has since passed the responsibility onwards to capable hands and was instrumental in guiding me along to my chosen career. I am now a Police Officer attached to 31 Division, Toronto Police Service. Currently, I am a School Resource Officer (SRO) posted at Emery Collegiate Institute in the Weston and Finch community; I have been in this position for the past year and a half. The school has about 1200 full time students and also houses an Adult Learning Centre with approximately the same number of continuing education students. Earlier this month, I was approached by a former Emery student who was a member of the Boys team competing in the Toronto and District Schools tournament. I had previously coached the team last year, but unfortunately the season was rained out. This student, Sahil Kesar, is now studying at York University. He came to me with the idea that we should organize a tournament between students from York and the Emery Boys team. A few emails later, Sahil and I reached an agreement that we can make this an event with a Challenge shield to be permanently housed at Emery Collegiate.

Together, we coordinated to play three T20 games at a local ground, over a three day period, after school. With the support of coaches from Emery, Hall Monitor Parrvaiz (Guddu) Singh, Teacher Uriel McDonald and the Principal Icilida Elliston as well as Toronto Police Service, we made the tournament a reality…..

So here we go…Day 1. 2012-04-25. York University won the toss and elected to bat. They managed to put on 85 runs in 20 overs, being helped considerably by 25 Extras. Patrick Walton contributed 21 runs but was eventually LBW to Virad Mehta. York’s Mohit reached 13 before a stunning catch was taken in the covers by Raheem Sheik to end his innings. Batting on an Astroturf wicket that was recently laid, the ball bounced dangerously to ankle and knee height. Emery’s Hummad Khan bowled a fine spell, ending with a very respectable 4 wickets, garnering only 17 runs in 4 overs.

Emery had a tough going to chase the 86 run target. At one point they were batting 9 runs for 6 wickets under some precision bowling by National under-19 Michael Walton and Captain Sahil Kesar. Michael managed to use the seam effectively enough to get some height and swing capturing 3 wickets. Tight bowling by Kesar also garnered him 3 wickets. York’s fielding was efficient, and the catches were held to restrict Emery to 62 runs all out. Some resistance was put up by Emery’s Haddi Sheik who belted 3 sixes and 2 fours in his 30 run effort. Otherwise, Emery’s batting collapsed. What Emery lacked in holding the crease was certainly made up a by never say die attitude.

Both teams played with good spirits and with character under a sunny sky. Thanks to the Principal for attending and Emery is looking forward to game #2; hopefully game 3 will be forced!

Keep Playing with a straight Bat!

Constable Colin Mohammed # 8980
SRO-Emery Collegiate