Eddie Norfolk
Outdoor survival enthusiasts welcome to come and watch!
Given the somewhat beyond cool weather in the Toronto area on Saturday (Oct 6th), with moisture in the air and a touch beyond a gentle breeze , these notes about the Ontario Cricket Association’s Elite T20 Championships being staged at the Ellesmere grounds in Scarborough this Canadian Thanksgiving Sunday (Oct 7th) and Monday (Oct 8th) should come with a weather disclaimer aimed at those who relate cricket to hot, sunny conditions. But if Sunday’s conditions are anything like Saturday, popping along to watch cricket could serve as preparation for outdoor survival enthusiasts.
The kind of conditions where people can show strength of character. As well as prepare for the days when snow and ice might descend. Perhaps one might be able to gain some kind of Duke of Edinburgh’s Canadian award scheme prize or honourable mention for watching or playing cricket in these conditions. Conditions which evoke the joys of schooldays where a cross-country run replaced rugby with a soggy leather ball that was hard to catch on a muddy field. But, the weather might take a turn for the better.
The OCA Elite T20 has six teams divided into two pools. Pool A comprises the Etobicoke & District Cricket League, the Southern Ontario Cricket Association and the host Scarborough Cricket Association. Pool B features the Ottawa Valley Cricket Council, TCA and Toronto City CC. The winners from each pool will meet in the Thanksgiving Monday final at 2pm.
Pool A matches on the Ellesmere #1 ground are: Sunday 10.30am Etobicoke DCL v Southern Ontario CA; Sunday 2pm Scarborough CA v Southern Ontario CA ; Monday 10 am Scarborough CA v Etobicoke DCL.
Pool B games on the Ellesmere #2 ground are: Sunday 10.30am TCA v Toronto City CC; Sunday 2pm Ottawa Valley CC v Toronto City CC; Monday 10 am Ottawa Valley CC v TCA.
The second-placed teams in each group meet in the Consolation Final on Monday at 2pm.
The customary best wishes are extended to players, umpires, scorers, organizers and the intrepid spectators.
I must admit that after an 8am shopping sortie on Saturday, the notion of even going to the TDCA Elite Finals for an hour or two disappeared. I really did have cold feet, despite wearing thick socks. Later, after completing some research at a library the thought of popping across to the Ellesemere grounds to see how the Scarborough Elite final was going did come to mind. But the idea fizzled out while wondering if a couple of snowflakes had just brushed my hear, or had it been a couple of falling leaves. Still, the Toronto Maple Leafs will not be falling during the first couple of weeks of the NHL season, as the original games have been called off. Perhaps the adventuring spirit may return on Sunday afternoon or Monday. Happy Thanksgiving.