Eddie Norfolk
Saskatoon Warriors completed a 2012 championship double by winning the 40-over provincial championship during September after capturing the T20 title back in June. This year’s Saskatchewan 40-over league included seven teams.
The 40-over semi-finals saw Lions CC, who placed fourth in the regular season standings, beat league leaders Saskatoon Stars by 83 runs, and third-placed Saskatoon Warriors toppled second-placed CLS Super Kings by eight wickets. Both semi-final matches took place during the Labour Day Holiday weekend.

Warriors then posted a 122 run win over Lions in the Final at Douglas Park, Regina on September 8th. Harpratap Sandhu lead the Warriors scoring with 98 runs from 66 balls after the openers had put 50 runs on the board within nine overs. Sandhu’s innings included six fours and six sixes. He added 57 for the third wicket with Shakeel Arif, who made 37, and partnered Navdeep Singh in a stand of 70 for the seventh wicket. Singh scored 28 runs, although the Warriors innings ended on 231 all out after 36.4 overs. Lions lost two early wickets and were held to a low scoring rate in the early going, reaching 37 runs from eleven overs. Navdeep Singh then took four wickets, including three of the five batsmen who reached double figures. The taming of the Lions came to an end in the 34th over as the last wicket fell with 109 runs on the board. Navdeep Singh’s four wickets were picked up at a cost of 34 runs from eight overs. This year’s Saskatchewan 40-over league included seven teams.
Warriors topped the four-team T20 Group A thanks to six wins from six matches. Stars won four and lost two, so placed second in the group ahead of Knight Riders (W1, L4) and Eagles (W0, L5). The eight team T20 Group B was headed by the Stallions (W 4, L1, No-result 2), followed by Lions (W 4, L2, NR 1), Cavaliers (W 3, L2, NR 2) and Challengers (W 3, L 3, NR1).
In the playoff semi-finals the Warriors beat the Lions and the Stallions beat the Stars. The Warriors rattled up 173 for seven wickets, then bowled out the Stallions for 95 to win the the T20 championship decider by 78 runs. The T20 playoffs were also held in Regina.
Cricket seems to be on the rise in Saskatchewan. Further details of this season’s games in the Saskatchewan Cricket Association, and from other recent seasons, can be found at the website www.saskcricket.com. Best wishes to those involved in playing, administering, umpiring and supporting cricket in that province, including sponsors.