RPCA emerge champs

S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Corr.

Ravi Punchihewa Cricket Academy from Matale brought honour and credit to the country when they became champions at the MAC Spin under 14 cricket tournament organised by MAC Spin Cricket Foundation Chennai Magration Cricket Academy by eight wickets in the finals played in Chennai, India.

This was Ravi Punchihewa Cricket Academy's fifth championship title in as many years which is quite an achievement by the little ones from Matale - a town reputed for hockey.

The MAC Spin Cricket Foundation is a reputed organisation in India and is headed by former Indian cricketer of repute Robin Singh and former Tamil Nadu cricketer Peter Andres.

In the initial round of league matches RPCA played four matches, won 3 and lost 1 and this was good enough for them to book a berth in the semi finals.

In the first match RPCA lost to MAC Spin Foundation 'B' by 3 wickets. Travel weariness and acclimatisation was responsible for RPCA's downfall in their initial encounter.

Ravi Punchihewa CA 126 all out in 19.4 overs (Mohamed Shiyam 28, M.N. Nimaz 12, T.S. Nawaratnam 11, M.S. Halimdeen 10, Kavin Shakeer 2 for 12, S. Akesh 2 for 24, K. Mihir 2 for 26)

MAC Spin Foundation 127 for 7 off 19.5 overs (S. Akash 43, G. Shinakumar 32, N. Dev 27)

In the second match RPCA were in a better frame of mind and in good fitness which helped them to beat Jain School Cricket Academy 'B' by 37 runs.

Ravi Punchihewa CA 152 for 7 wickets in 20 overs (Dilshan Hettige 55, Mohamed Shiyam 32, Rohith Sami 2 for 40, S. Mihiran 2 for 13)

Jain School Cricket Academy 'B' 115 all out in 19.5 overs.

In the third match RPCA beat Magration CA 'B' by five wickets.

RPCA 94 for 9 in 20 overs (M. Nimaz 19, Nuwan Dayawansa 16, M. Shiyam 15, K. Kumar 2 for 14, M. Kumaresh 2 for 18, R. Kumar 2 for 22).

Magration CA 'B' 90 for 5 in 20 overs (N. Akashaya 53, P. Joshi 23 not out)

In the last of the league matches Jain School 'A' beat RPCA by 48 runs.

Jain School 'A' 115 for 3 wickets in 20 overs (D. Karana 30, M. Rameez 36).

RPCA 57 all out in 14.5 overs (M. Nimaz 10, T.S. Nawaratnam 10, M. Ahamed 2 for 14, S. Wijay 2 for 14, K. Kumar 2 for 12).

Semi-finals

In the semi-finals RPCA beat St. Patrick's School 'B' by five wickets. RPCA 97 for 7 in 20 overs (Nuwan Dayawansa 27, M. Nimaz 19, Sachin Kumar 3 for 4, K. Ragul 3 for 9)

St. Patrick's School 'B' 64 for 5 wickets off 20 overs (Ashwin Kumar 14, G. Wijee 10, S. Kumar 10, Pamuditha Tennakoon 3 for 10)

Finals

In the finals Ravi Punchihewa Cricket Academy scored a comfortable 8 wickets win over the strong Magrations Cricket Academy 'A' to emerge champions to bag their fifth championship title in the Indian soil in five years.

Magration CA 'A' 93 for 6 wickets in 20 overs (G.B.N. Wignesh 55, G. Kanishkumar 14, V. Yadev 10, M. Shiyam 1 for 14, T.S. Nawaratnam 1 for 16).

RPCA 94 for 2 wickets in 14.5 overs (M. Nimaz 36 not out, Pamuditha Tennakoon 26 not out, S. Harbajan 2 for 6).