Reviewed by Master Dilith Halahakoon (Web Content Team)
After an exhilarating performance between the Lions and the Eagles last weekend, fans of Trinity College Kandy and St. Anthony’s College Katugasthota were anticipating another magnificent event: the 43rd Limited-Overs Encounter, which was held at the Lions’ Den Asgiriya on the 11th of April 2025.
After the traditional coin toss, St. Anthonys’ College chose to field first, while the play was reduced to 32 overs per side due to prevailing weather conditions with bad light. Masters Pulisha Thilakaratne and Aadham Hilmy challenged the Antonians with a magnificent partnership, while team SACK sought ways to claim those pivotal wickets. Trinity batsmen fought back to keep their Run Rate between 4.2 and 4.8, gaining 3 or more points each over. While Master Dinura Ganegoda of St. Anthonys’ College bagged 3 wickets throughout his bowling and fielding, Trinity ended their batting, with a daunting score of 152 runs for 9 wickets in 32 overs.
When Trinity took to the crease to bowl, Master Sethmika Senevirathne snatched a wicket from Antonians just as they had achieved the score of 10 runs in the 4th over. Team TCK, mindful of the cruciality of their performance with the ball and fielding, persevered to take more wickets, ensuring there were fewer runs for their opponents. They bagged 2 more wickets just before SACK’s half-century. Not letting the batsmen slip by the edges of his guard, Master Malith Rathnayake (Captain) was able to get dot overs. The Antonians were a good sport and challenged the Lions even more, while the Lions were able to get another wicket at 95 runs by a run out, breaking the solid partnership between Master Januka Rathnayake and Master Chanuka Ekanayake of St. Anthonys’ College. While the match was at a crucial turning point for the Sir Richard Aluvihare Trophy, the umpires brought the curtains down on the game due to bad light. The final decision of the result was determined as per the DLS (Duckworth Lewis Stern) calculation. Thus, Trinity College were declared as winners.
We congratulate team TCK for their outstanding performance in this game, and acknowledge team SACK for their challenging sportsmanship which kept the crowd in awe.
Awards Given:
Player of the Match – Pulisha Thilakaratne (Trinity College, Kandy)
Best Fielder – Master Rajindu Thilakarathne (Trinity College, Kandy)
Best Bowler – Master Dinura Ganegoda (St. Anthonys’ College, Kathugasthota)
Best Batsman – Master Charuka Rathnayake (St. Anthonys’ College, Kathugasthota)
TCK salutes: the Head Coach Mr. Naveen Ekanayake, Assistant Coach Mr. Thisaru Dilshan, the Director of Sports, Mr. Gihan Samarasekara, Masters- In-Charge Mr. Brian Senaratne and Mr. Bandula Pushpakumara, and the Physiotherapist, Mr. Thilanka Dissanayake for their relentless dedication and encouragement given to the Cricket team. The team is grateful to the Principal Rev. Araliya Jayasundara OSB, Vice Principal Mr Krishanthan Anthonydas, Co-Vice Principal Mr Ananda Marasinghe and the CMT for the support rendered for their activities.
