Star Garments take Janashakthi Trophy

CRICKET: Debutants, Star Garments, Katunayake lifted the "Janashakthi" Trophy when they beat Lion Brewery by six wickets with four overs to spare, in the MCA Division "G" 30 overs League Tournament Final at the MCA grounds on Sunday.

The tournament for the second successive year was sponsored by Janashakthi Insurance Co. Ltd.

Opener Rienzie Silva riding on three dropped chances top scored for the Lions with a brave 78 runs which included nine fours and a Six.

Left arm spinner, Asitha Palihakkara whipped the lions with a manasing spell of 04 overs 17 runs 04 wickets.

The Lions with a modest total of 151 runs, bowled as much as 25 wide deliveries to lose their grip on the game.

Opener Udara Sampath Fernando (64 not out in 80 balls with 09 fours) with his skipper. Rohan Dhammika (28 N/o in 26 balls with 05 fours and one six) put an unbroken partnership of 60 runs for the fifth wicket to take Star Garments home to a historic win.

Match referee cum adjudicator, Basil Jayawardene had no hesitation on naming, Udara Sampath Fernando (Star Garments) as his Man of the Match.

The other "Janashakthi" Special awards went to Lankem's, G.D.V. Perera (Best Batsman of the tournament) and W.M.M.W.E.V. Gangoda (Best Bowler) and Union Assurance's, Eric Upashantha (Man of the Tournament).

The final was followed by the awards presentation with the attendance of Janashakthi Insurance Co. Ltd., Head of Marketing, Tilan Wijesekera and Brand Manager Janashakthi Full Option, Mario Offen, President/MCA, Tissa Madigasekera, General Secretary/MCA, Ashley Ratnayake & Chairman Tournament Committee/MCA, Ishak Sahabdeen. Chief Scores:

Lion Brewery 151 all out in 28.2 overs (Rienzie Silva 78, Asitha Palihakkara 4/17).

Star Garments: 152 for 4 in 26 overs (U. Sampath Fernando 64 not out, Rohan Dhammika 28 not out, Thushara Ambepitiya 2/25).

Thus the MCA 2006 Season came to a close!