Old Richmond emerged below 50 T-20 champions while Old Mahinda clinched the Over 50 title in their “Brotherhood beyond the boundaries” annual T-20 cricket encounters played at Bloomfield grounds on Saturday.
The matches were conducted by Richmond Cricket Club, Richmond Colombo Old Boys Union, Mahinda Cricket Club and Mahinda Cricket Foundation to develop brotherhood among the two schools.
All rounder Chathupama Gunasinghe the former Richmond skipper and SSC cricketer was the hero of the below 50 game which Old Richmondites domineted with four wickets win with one over to spare.
Old Mahindians made 149 all out with Hirantha Wijesinghe (24) and Damith Dilhara making useful contributions.
Old Richmond below 50 skipper Samantha Lorensuhewa receiving champions trophy from chief guest Upali Hemalal Wickramasinghe.
Old Richmondites did not have a good start but Chathupama Gunasinghe played an anchor role scoring unbeaten 47 in 31 balls with a four and 4 sixes added fighting unbroken fifth wicket stand with Sampath Udayakumara who made unbeaten 46 in 37 balls with four boundaries and a six guided them to victory with one over to spare.
Former Sri Lanka paceman Chamila Gamage and Indika Udayanga took two wickets each for Richmond Old boys.
Thusitha Paliwatta was the pick of the Old Mahinda bowlers taking 2 for 27 also named Best Bowler while Old Richmondites Sampath Udayakumara was named Best Batsman while Chathupama Gunasinghe was adjudged Man of the Final.
Chandana slashes quick 86 to steer Old Mahinda over 50s
Former Sri Lanka all rounder and present national fielding coach Upul Chandana was in action at the field once again when he scored hurricane knock ot 86 in 32 balls with 9 fours and 5 sixes paved the way to Old Mahindians over 50 to victory when they beat old Richmonds by 6 wickets with three overs to spare in their high scoring game. Old Richmond opener Dilshan Amarasinghe hit a superb knock of 124 in 68 balls with 9 fours and 5 sixes but it was invain as Old Mahinda won the game with 3 overs to spare. Upul Chandana hammered match winning 86 well supported by Chandika Sirimanna who stroked 54. Upul Chandana was adjudged Man of the Match while Krishantha Jayasekara of Old Mahinda was named Best Bowler and Old Richmond centurion Dilshan Amarasinghe was named Best Batsman.
Two schools deputy skippers of 1973 Upali Hemalal Wickramasinghe (Richmond) and Wasantha Kulathunga (Mahinda) were the chief guests while former 1972 Richmond skipper Prasad Kariyawasam and Rt Rear Admiral Ivan Kariyawasam were the guest of honour.
Chief scores
Below 50 T-20 match: Richmond Old Boys (below 50) beat Mahinda Old boys by 4 wickets.
Mahinda Old Boys 149 all out in 20 overs (Damith Dilhara 25, Hirantha Wijesinghe 24, Tharanga Maramba 13, Tharanga Lakshitha 17, Sampath Costa 14, Suresh Athuruliya 10, Chathupama Gunasinghe 3/30, Chamila Gamage 2/27, Indika Udayanga 2/27)
Richmond Old Boys 152 for 6 wicket in 19 overs (Samantha Lorensuhewa 15, Tharindu Weerasingha 10, Sampath Udayakumara 46*, Chathupama Gunasinghe 47*,Thusitha Paliwatta2/27, Tharanga Lakshitha 2/32)
Over 50 T-20 match: Mahinda Old Boys ( over 50 ) beat Richmond Old boys by 6 wickets.
Richmond Old Boys 202 for 4 wickets in 20 overs (Dilshan Amarasinghe 124, Asoka Sirimanna 13, Hasitha de Silva 41, Krishantha Jayasekara 2/40)
Mahinda Old Boys 203 for 4 wickets in 17 overs (Upul Kumara 15, Krishantha Jayasekara 20, Chandika Sirimanna 54, Upul Chandana 86, Lasantha de Silva 2/35.
Dhammika Ratnaweera