Eddie Norfolk
The boys East Region semi-finals in the Toronto District School Board outdoor cricket championships are scheduled today (Monday, May 28th) at the Percival B. Cummins Memorial cricket grounds in Scarborough, Ontario. Woburn CI are due to play SATEC at 9.30 am, followed by Agincourt CI against David and Mary Thomson CI “A” team at 12.30pm.
Those who do not relish cricket in hot, humid conditions might do best to heed the weather warnings and steer clear of watching cricket, as some humidex factor in the high 30’s was mentioned in a weather report. Some hints of the odd storm might even keep some of the faithful away from the ground. It may come as a surprise, but not every cricket lover appreciates the game being played in conditions that give a hint of what life is like as a grain of rice in a boil-in-the-bag packet of rice as the fire burns and the cooking cauldron begins to bubble. It can also be tough on the players.
The overall boys outdoor cricket TDSB championship for 2011-2012 has added shape with news emerging of North Region qualifying round matches played last week.
The North Region round-robin stage continues this week on Tuesday and Wednesday at Toronto’s version of Lords: G. Ross Lord Park. Another ground that has hosted international cricket, including the 2001 ICC Trophy and a touring West Indies “A” team against Canada in a one-day game not too many years ago. It was also, more recently, the venue for the TJT National T20 cricket championships and hosted a 2006 Colleges and Universities cricket tournament, won by McMaster University of Hamilton, Ontario.
The North Region has two pools of five schools. The round-robin games began last Wednesday, with results that varied between a default win for one school (score counts as 1-0), a game where one side struck 112 runs and the other hit 117, a top total – so far – of 118 for four wickets in 15 overs, and three teams yet to play. But they are due to play a major role in the matches scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. The top two teams in each pool then advance to the North Region semi-finals on Friday (June 1st), also set for Ross Lord Park.
CW Jefferys CI and Georges Vanier each have 2 wins and 1 loss in Pool A, followed by Newtonbrook with 1 win and 1 loss. John Polanyi CI and Northview Heights Secondary School (SS) have not yet played a game. Newtonbrook conceded the school’s opening game to Georges Vanier last Wednesday (May 23rd), then beat CW Jefferys in the 117-112 run feast on Thursday. CW Jeffreys beat Georges Vanier by 12 runs. CW Jeffreys making 90 for three wickets, then limiting Georges Vanier to 78 for six wickets.
Westview Centennial SS head pool B with two wins from two games. Westview scored 118 for four wickets (15 overs) to win by 45 runs against George S. Henry Academy, who made 73 for six wickets (15 overs). Earl Haig SS also scored 73 runs in 15 overs against Westview, but lost seven wickets. Westview Centennial replied with a winning 74 for five wickets from 13 overs. Emery CI and Victoria Park CI are scheduled to play all their pool B games on Tuesday and Wednesday.
It may be the case that there is a fourth Region – the South – out there in the bullrushes and among the golden dandelions, but such information will emerge in due course. The two West Region Divisions of four teams were due to play last week, with Regional semi-finals and a final due this coming Wednesday (May 30th).