Thurstan and Visakha crowned cricket champs
Thurstan College and Visakha Vidyalaya were crowned Cricket Champions in the Boys and Girls categories respectively at the Old Boys’ Association Class of 2006 of St. Anthony’s College, Wattala organised Six- a- Side cricket extravaganza concluded at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium last weekend.
This highly successful cricket tournament was organized to mark the 75th Anniversary of the College under the theme of ‘Coexistence Through Sports’ to promote national unity among all ethnic and religious groups with the participation of twenty eight diversified school teams from all parts of the country.
In the Boys’ tournament the most notable achievement was the upset win by Zahira College, Kalmunai over better fancied Royal College, Colombo. In the Girls championship Visakha Vidyalaya in their maiden appearance in schools cricket emerged champions with victories over top three schools of Sri Lanka Schools Girls Under 19 championship.
Two days of clean cricket was witnessed where willow wielders from all parts of the island
36 for 5 in 5 overs (Yasith 22, Sawan Prabash 3 for 0)
40 for no loss in 3.2 overs (Sawan Prabash 19 n.o., Yeshan 21 n.o.)
38 for no loss in four overs (Pabasara Ranabahu 14) 39 for 1 wicket Sawan Prabash (Thurstan); stepped on to the turf at the RPIS showing their talents that will regain Sri Lanka cricket of its lost glory in the near future.
Thurstan College defeated Maris Stella College, Negombo to claim the Boys title. In reply to the Negombo school’s total of 36 for the loss of five wickets, Thurstan reached the target in 3.2 overs.
In the Girls’ finals Visakha coasted to an easy nine wicket win over Ratnavali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha. Chasing a victory target of 38, Visakha Vidyalaya with the aid of 31 runs from wides reached target without any difficulty.
Denver Fernando, P re s i d e n t of t he Organizing Committee speaking to the Education Times said "The tournament came to a highly successful end Pabasara Ranabahu (Rathnavali BV) Sawan Prabash (Thurstan); Vinuki Perera (Visakha) Lasith Croosepulle (Maris Stella); Harshitha Madawi (Anula) Naveen Fernando; Tiranya Vidanapathirana (Visakha) Deemantha Kaushalya (D.S. Senanayake); Sanduni Nisansala (Rathnavali BV) and hope to stage this as an annual event as the Flagship event of St Anthony’s College, Wattala. The organizers provided every facility for the participants free of charge. The twenty eight teams that took part in the tournament exhibited a high standard of sportsmanship and unity which resulted in no incidents or complaints."
Frenando went on to thank the Office for the National Unity and Reconciliation and the State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene, the Chief Guest for their collaboration. The President went on to state that with the talent that was exhibited by young cricketers both Boys and Girls, Sri Lanka cricket is heading to a bright future as this lot will be the national players tomorrow.
- Lakshman Ranasinghe