Hutch Invitation Schools' under 19 Cricket from Aug. 6

The 'Hutch Invitation Schools' under 19 Cricket Tournament 2005' organised for the first time by Lyceum International School, Wattala and sponsored by Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, starts on August 6 and will continue until September 3.

The host, Lyceum International School Wattala, will take on Royal Institute in the curtain raiser and the finals will be played on September 3. There will be fifteen matches in the tournament which will be played on a quarter league basis and the group leaders will meet in the semi finals.

The winners will receive the prestigious 'Arena Heracle' Challenge Trophy which is named after our school ground.

The name 'Heracle' comes from Greek mythology. 'Heracle' was one of the greatest heroes of ancient Greece. He was the archetype for bravery and living proof that 'might makes right'.

The idea behind organising a tournament of this nature is to give the cricketers of international schools the opportunity to meet their counterparts in government schools, which will help them to build up good relationships with each other and also to measure their talents against them.

Since the Schools' Cricket Association has not yet recognised International Schools as members of their body, this had deprived the students of International Schools of playing with the other schools. Hence this tournament will be an initiative step to set a side the boundaries that have been there in the past.

Managing Director Mohan Lal Grero who is a great believer in getting this act together has already made representations at higher level several times to see this dream come true. We hope the outcome of this Hutch Invitation Schools' under 19 Cricket Tournament 2005 will be an eye-opener for the people concerned.

The following schools were invited to participate at this tournament: Royal Institute, Wycherly International School, Colombo International School, Lyceum International School, Nugegoda from the International Schools, and seven from SLSCA Member Schools namely Maris Stella College, Negombo, De Mazenod College, Kandana, St. Anthony's College, Wattala, Dharmaloka College and Gurukula College Kelaniya, St. Benedict's College, Colombo and Joseph Vaz College Wennappuwa. In all we have 12 teams including the host school participating at this tournament. All matches will be played at the international standard cricket grounds at Lyceum International School, Wattala.

Other than the main trophies, awards for the player of the series, Best Batsman, Best Bowler and Best Fielder will be on offer.

Match schedule:

Group A: 1. Lyceum, Wattala, 2. Joseph Vaz College, 3. Royal Institute. Group B: 1. Lyceum, Nugegoda, 2. Gurukula College, 3. Colombo Int. School. Group C: 1. Maris Stella College, 2. St. Anthony's College, 3. St. Benedict's College. Group D: 1. De Mazenod College, 2. Wycherly Int. School, 3. Dharmaloka College.

Seeded teams: Lyceum International School, Nugegoda (HSCT -Champs 2004), Lyceum International School, Wattala (host), Maris Stella College, Negombo (on last seasons performances), De Mazenod College, Kandana (on last seasons performances).

August 6, Saturday: Lyceum, Wattala vs Royal Institute. August 7, Sunday: Lyceum, Nugegoda vs Colombo Int. School. August 8, Monday: Maris Stella College vs St. Benedict's College. August 9, Tuesday: De Mazenod College vs Dharmaloka College. August 13, Saturday: Wycherly Int. School vs Dharmaloka College. August 14, Sunday: Gurukula College vs Colombo Int. School. August 18, Thursday: St. Anthony's College vs St. Benedict's College. August 19, Friday: Joseph Vaz College vs Royal Institute. August 20, Saturday: Lyceum, Nugegoda vs Gurukula College. August 21, Sunday: Maris Stella College vs St. Anthony's College. August 24, Wednesday: De Mazenod College vs Wycherley Int. School. August 25, Thursday: Lyceum, Wattala vs Joseph Vaz College.

August 29, Monday: Semi finals - Winner of Group A vs winner of Group C. August 30, Tuesday: Semi finals winner of Group B vs winner of Group D. September 3, Saturday: Finals.