Cambrians win owsc six-a-side tourney

Chris Dhambarage

Prince of Wales College Moratuwa put up a fine all round performance to beat Thurstan College by 29 runs in the 16th annual Old Wesleyite Sports Club organized Munchee Gluco Fit inter school six a side cricket tournament concluded at Campbell Park yesterday.

The Cambrians hit up 77 for 2 after electing to bat first and then dismissed their opponents for 48 runs in 3.3 overs in a completely one sided contest. Their success was even more significant considering the fact that the entire final was played under extremely difficult weather conditions.

However Prince of Wales College set the pace for a good final by piling up a formidable total thanks to two superb contributions from opener Nipuna Chamara (38) and Dilan Chandima (27 n.o). In fact Nipuna Chamara was easily the most outstanding player for the Cambrians throughout the tournament where he collected a total of 101 runs that helped him to win the Best Batsman and the Man of the Final awards respectively.

Prince of Wales reached 50 for no loss at the completion of the third over but their run scoring was restricted to a certain extent by Ishan Masalage who delivered a good over while conceding only eleven runs. Thurstan College never looked like making a match of it from the moment they lost opener Masalage in the very first ball of the innings. They recovered to a great extent following a good knock of 22 from Shehan Kamaleen and Munasinghe who made 17 off four deliveries.

But Thurstan College lost wickets at regular intervals with Sehan Jayasuriya, Alwis, Chandima and Hashim claiming a wicket each. In fact Jayasuriya who captured five wickets in the whole tournament was named Best Bowler and Best Fielder.

Shehan Kamaleen from Thurstan College who hoisted a total of ten sixes won the award for the most number of sixes while Jehan Siyabalapitiya also from Thurstan College was presented with a special award for holding the Best Catch of the tournament.

Earlier in the semifinals Thurstan College had the credit of overcoming the strong Ananda College outfit with a tremendous performance. They did well to restrict the Ananda batting line up for a modest 58 for 3 with Ishan Masalage doing the damage claiming two wickets for 26 runs.

The Thurstanites in reply raced to their target in style while scoring 59 for 1 from just 3.3 overs with Shehan Kamaleen leading the way with a superb 34 inclusive of six boundaries. In the other semifinal Prince of Wales College came from behind with a splendid performance to beat Royal College by six runs in a thrilling encounter.

Royal College were cruising along at one stage towards their target after the Cambrians had piled up a challenging 73 for no loss. Sri Lanka Youth player Kusal Janith Perera led the run chase with a fine 37 from just 13 deliveries and Rambukwella made 20 from 12 deliveries.

However Prince of Wales made a superb late rally following a magnificent over from Ruwarunu Thisaru who picked up two wickets during a sensational over while conceding only seven runs. This over entirely changed the complexion of the game as Royal College fell short by six runs at the end. Earlier consistent opener Nipuna Chamara hammered an unbeaten 37 with the help of two sixes and four boundaries to guide Prince of Wales College towards a match winning total.