It looked like the storm clouds might unleash all day at Maple Leaf Cricket Club, but the rains relented and play began around 2.30pm. The match between Canada and Bermuda was set for an interesting finish as Darius D�Souza had Deunte Darrell caught on the deep mid-wicket boundary by Hiral Patel that broke a stand of 54 for the Bermudian fourth wicket.

Canada had made 170 for 7 in a match reduced to 33 overs. But the skies were interesting; directly to the west were some light blue skies and fluffy white clouds. But there were some really dark looking clouds � and before the next batsman arrived at the crease, the players began to run for cover.

Sadly, the storm is likely to have made more impact than this cricket championship in the Greater Toronto Area, but the winds certainly howled and I gave up the battle to walk northerly in the hope of finding the pavilion. Indeed I retreated to the southern fence and curled in a ball as the wind howled and rain pelted down. It seemed like hailstones hitting my back � but I�m told it wasn�t. Some winds.

As the storm cleared and a rainbow formed, it became obvious some branches had been blown down around the ground. And instead of Canadian fielders, a chair had been blown into the outfield on the south-east pitch. The top part of the pitch on the north-east pitch was under water on a mission to pick up a camera and tripod, but it turned out the USA had already bowled out the Cayman Islands.

There clearly could not be any further play, and the Duckworth/Lewis method determined Canada had won by 5 runs over Bermuda, to complete the tournament unbeaten with 5 wins. The win sealed the Americas Regional Under-19 Championship and a place in the ICC Global Under-19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier in September. The USA also progresses to that qualifier, thanks to 4 wins and 1 loss. Bermuda, who won the Americas U19 title in 2007, was left in third place with a record of 3 wins and 2 defeats.

Bahamas emerged as winners of the match with Argentina to determine who would foot the standings. Argentina was struggling on 88 for seven when the storm arrived. Bahamas had scored 186 for seven from 22 overs. These teams were probably the luckiest as they were on the south-west field, right next to the building complex, and those not out on the field had the buildings as slight protection from the worst of the winds.

It was fitting, in a way, that Canada�s match ended with Hiral Patel as a central figure. Earlier he continued his tournament batting form to make 95 before being caught having put the side into a useful 148 for three. Bermuda�s Chris Douglas took 2 wickets to close the tournament with as leading bowler. Douglas tallied 14 wickets for 123 runs from 29.3 overs. Canada�s Rustum Bhatti was named best wicketkeeper. The storm meant post tournament presentations took place inside, but the sun was shining and the players enjoyed a barbecue. Most were able to change clothes, but the drenching made some feel cold, but the event was played in good spirit. The efforts of those at the helm of tournament organization, the umpires and the scorers deserve a vote of thanks, as do the groundstaff and helpers at the Maple Leaf ground.

The two oldest rivals in international cricket now have the chance to progress to the next ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.