Eddie Norfolk
It might be the case that the Toronto and District Cricket Association managed to splutter out the news that the Elite Division Final would be played today, Saturday October 6th, before Friday night had expired, but that’s the way things are in too much of the ‘larger’ Canadian cricket leagues.
The standard model for Canadian cricket is last minute information; a trend that recurs too much for the good of the development of game. Perish the thought that to highlight scores from last weekend’s semi-finals should have been a priority for what might reasonably be regarded as the country’s top league. But rudderless ships and yachts without sails sometimes can meander along, almost oblivious of the winds and tides.

So in about nine hours after this item was typed, Brampton Masters Tranzac are due to meet Centurions in the season’s pinnacle game for the TDCA: the final of the Elite Division. Centurions beat Toronto CC last Saturday, but the second semi-final between Brampton Masters Tranzac and Vikings was rained out, according to the playoff schedule. The game was moved to Sunday and Brampton Masters Tranzac won.
The potential has therefore existed since some time last Sunday evening for the league to pump out a message to the Greater Toronto Area’s cricket community to rally around the flag and visit Maple Leaf CC for what should be a good game . There is no shortage of playing talent, but there might be a major deficiency on promotional efforts by the league, and as a result a lack of league sponsorship. Some might be aware that some leagues within the TDCA had some sponsorship back in the late 1970’s in the era when Canada first qualified for a cricket world cup.
But it is a bit late to concern ourselves with such things as it is, in reality, early morning. The drizzle falling on the walk home from the subway station was not significant, but might not be too pleasant to play in. Hopefully a reasonable scattering of spectators will be on hand to witness this year’s TDCA Elite Division final, and the game will be memorable for all the right reasons. There are much more reasons to pin faith on the players than on some of the league hierarchy.
The Ontario Cricket Academy won the Premier Division championship last Sunday, beating Brampton Masters Tranzac, and Parkdale must have beaten Spartans to win Division One. Saturday’s Elite Division final at Maple Leaf CC, King City, has two supporting finals in Divisions Three and Fourt, plus a semi-final in Division Two. The Division Two final is due on Sunday (Oct 7th) at Maple Leaf CC, following the second semi-final that is scheduled on Saturday.
At this time it is appropriate to think of, and thank the work of the groundsmen at Maple Leaf for their efforts throughout the season, and hope for a brighter day when the sun rises in a few hours. The Division Three and Four finals are scheduled as 40-overs per side games with a noon start, according to the TDCA’s website. The Elite and higher division games are 50 overs per side with a scheduled start of 10.30 am. Let’s hope for a memorable final or two to crown the season for the Toronto and District Cricket Association, helped, hopefully, by a boost in the weather!