Division III cricket commences

S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN Kandy Sports Correspondent

Twenty six teams have entered the Division III cricket tournament organised by the Matale District Cricket Association on behalf of Sri Lanka Cricket which got under way on Thursday.

The Matale District Cricket Association headed by its President and Minister of Urban Development Rohana Dissanayake and Honorary Secretary Wijesekera Walisundera and Man for all seasons former Old Thomian (Matale) and C.C.C. cricketer and SLC Match Referee Ravi Punchihewa have made all arrangements to play the matches on schedule at the Bernard Aluwihare Stadium in Matale.

The teams have been divided into eight groups and the Group leaders will qualify to play in the quarter finals. Urban Youth Sports Club are the defending champions with Matale Sports Club as runner up last year.

A notable feature is that Laggala CC from the remote village of Laggala close to Memmure had entered this tournament going through metamorphosis from softball to hardball cricket and credit should go to Matale District CA.

The Grouping are as follows:

Group A: Matale CC, Dambulla CC, Malwatte SC

Group B: Matale Youths CC, Lucky Seven SC, Singha SC

Group C: Naula CC, Old Thomian SC, Rethman SC

Group D: Maroons CC, Urban Youths CC, Laggala CC

Group E: Kiwiann CC, Namal CC, Young Hearts SC, Matale District Cricketers Association

Group F: Park SC, Prabodha SC, Matale Hindu SC

Group G: Kaludawella SC, Matale Colts SC, Matale SC

Group H: Vijaya SC, Old Hindu SC, Royal Challengers CC, Kaikawela SC