Old Mahindians take Olcott Memorial Trophy

Mahinda P Liyanage, Galle Central Special Correspondent

Mahinda College past cricketers, for the first time emerged champions of Colonel Henry Steele Olcott Memorial Tournament 2010 held for the 12th consecutive year yesterday at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.

In the final game Mahinda who scored 110 for 1 defeated Maliyadeva by 15 runs. Maliyadeva were 95 for 5 in reply to Mahinda’s total. Mahinda defeated Dharmapala in the first semi-final to qualify for the final while Maliyadeva beat Dharmaraja in the second semi-final to fight in the final.

Duminda Wickramasinghe, the former school cricket captain of Mahinda in 1987 unfurled his dominance through his batting prowess displaying his past batting brilliance to be adjudged as both the best batsman and the Man of the Tournament. Duminda in both first match and second first semi-final of the tournament scored 44 and 41 retired. In the final game too he was 25 not out. Ajith Ekanayake of Maliyadeva was awarded the Best Bowler of the Tournament while Saman Fonseka of Mahinda was adjudged the Best Fielder of the Tournament. Man of the Final award was presented to Gayan Lanka of Mahinda.

Maliyadeva was led by Chandana Guruge while Dilipa Wickramsinghe captained Mahinda.

Final - Mahinda Vs Maliyadeva

Mahinda: 110/1 (Dilipa Wickramsinghe 36 n.o, Saman Fonseka 33, Duminda Wickramsinghe 25 n.o, Ranawaka 1/17.

Maliyadeva: 95/5 (A Ekanayake 16, N Munasinha 26 n.o, R Daluwatte 31 n.o, Gayan Lanka 3/17, Nilan 2/14). The award ceremony was held under the patronage of Major (Ret) G W S de Silva, veteran cricket coach of both S Thomas’ College and Mahinda College for over 30 years. Jayananda Warnaweera, former Test player and star cricketer of Mahinda College was also present at the ceremony.