St Patrick’s, Jaffna College clash in Twenty20 finals

Jaffna College, a pioneer Educational Institution in Jaffna organized a Twenty20 Cricket Tournament which was held on April 7,8 and 9 among friendly schools from different parts of the country.

The Pre quarter final matches started on the Inaugural Day of this Tournament, April 7, were played at four different grounds in Jaffna. The first PQF was played between Jaffna Hindu College and St Xavier’s Boys’ College, Mannar. Jaffna Hindu won this match by 6 wkts. In the second Pre-quarter St Patrick’s beat Skanthavarothaya College by 8 wkts. Also the match played between Jaffna College and Manipay Hindu, Jaffna College won the game by 133 runs. In the fourth PQF, Isipathana beat St John’s, Jaffna by 67 runs.

Then it was Jaffna Central Vs Naffield School in which Central won the match by 8 wkts. In another match Kokkuvil Hindu College met Vidyaloka, Galle, in which Kokkuvil boys made it by 87 runs. In the last Pre quarter final Anuradhapura Central beat Canagaratnam MMV by 98 runs. Livinston of St. Patrick’s claimed 3 wkts for 6 runs against Skantha.

Prashopanan of Jaffna College scored 54 runs against Manipay Hindu and Priyalaxan of Jaffna College took 5 for 11 in the same match.

Dhanushka of Isipathana scored 82 runs against St John’s, Jaffna and Sidhdhath and Harith of Isipathana claimed 3 wkts each in the same match.

Uthamakumaran of Kokkuvil Hindu scored 58 runs against Vidyaloka and Slojan of Kokuvil Hindu claimed 3 wkts for 15 runs in the same match. Rajapaksha of Anuradhapura Central made 62 runs against Canagaratnam MMV.

The victorious teams in the Pre quarter finals along with Mahajana College as a bye entered the Quarter finals which were played on April 8. The 1st Quarter final match was played between Jaffna College and Anuradhapura Central. Batting first Anuradhapura team shot out for 126 runs. Jaffna College reached the target by losing only 4 wkts and won the match by six wkts.

In the second quarter final Jaffna Central met Kokkuvil Hindu College. Taking first lease of the wicket Kokkuvil boys made a challenging total of 151 for 9 wkts. Jaffna Central failed to reach the target and made only 96 runs. The third Quarter final was a clash between Mahajana and Jaffna Hindu. Batting first Mahajana made a modest total of 137 for 7 wkts. Jaffna Hindu made a valiant effort to reach this target and failed only by one run.

They were all out for 136. Dilaxshan and Diloshan of Mahajana College halted a Hindu victory by claiming 3 wkts each. In the last Quarter final St. Patrick’s met Isipathana. In their allotted 20 overs St Patrick’s made a mammoth 175 for 7 wkts. Isipathana fought back but were able to score 157 runs. Tudor of St Patrick’s made a half Century (58).

Then it was the Semi finals on the following day April 9. The first semi final was played between St Patrick’s College and Mahajana College. Batting first, St Patrick’s made a challenging total of 154 for 6 wkts. But unfortunately rain interrupted the game and Mahajana was able to play only 10.3 overs in which they scored 50 runs for 8 wkts. St Patrick’s College were declared winners by 70 runs under Duckworth Lewis system. In the second semi final Kokkuvil Hindu College clashed with Jaffna College.

Batting first Jaffna College scored 126 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Once again rain played havock and Kokkuvil Hindu faced only 8.2 overs and were 45 for 7 at that stage. Here too the Duckworth Lewis system was applied and Jaffna College were winners by 39 runs.

The Finals of this Tournament scheduled for April 9 has been postponed to April 13 of this month due to heavy rain.