Galle treat for South Oxfordshire Amateurs on Sri Lanka tour

www.oxfordmail.co.uk: South Oxfordshire Amateurs had the exciting experience of playing at the Galle International test ground during their two-week tour of Sri Lanka.

Although losing all eight matches, SOA competed well, but the combination of the intense heat and the lack of a class spinner meant they were unable to force a victory.

The game at Galle was against a Foundation of Goodness Invitational XI – an organisation which helped boost the lives of Sri Lankans hit by the tsunami in 2004.

A spell of 3-5 by Marcus Charman limited the hosts to 251 all out, but the SOA could not cope with the local spinners and were limited to 149-9 in reply.

The highlight of the tour was a brilliant century from skipper Greg Pearson at the spectacular Surrey Village ground. Club president Chris Hutton batted consistently, while Damien Wiskin shone with both bat and ball, and 69-year-old Tom Moffatt caught three stunning catches in one game.

The tour party of 45, half of which were players, had a great time on a trip, superbly organised by Russell Hayes.

South Oxfordshire Amateurs tourists pictured in front of the famous Fort on the Galle Test ground in Sri Lanka

SOA tour results

Panadura: SOA 212-9 (40 ovs, G Pearson 49, Extras 42), Upul Fernando Invitation XI 218-3 (21.4 ovs, R Fernando 59, A Jayasinghe 58, S Fernando 58).

St. Thomas’ College: SOA 136-9 (T Welch 47), Sri Lanks ACU & S 138-5 (23 ovs, A Indeke 54).

Mercantile Ground: SOA 208-8 (35 ovs, C Hutton 33, D Wiskin 32, I Caunce 30), Nelson Mendis Committee XI 209-4 (30.5 ovs, A Lasantha 100, R Sarath 67).

Thurstan College: Wattala Heavens 145 (N Perera 60, D Wiskin 4-39, B Jefferis 3-25), SOA 128 (33 ovs, Extras 32).

Surrey Village: SOA 232-6 (35 ovs, G Pearson 102no, B Lunn 51), Palink 233-4 (33.4 ovs, C Sandarawan 64).

Hikkaduwa: SOA 196 (34ovs, D Wiskin 51, A Basford 43, M Charman 34), Foundation of Goodness 200-7 (20.3 ovs, T Palarathna 54).

Galle: Foundation of Goodness Invitational XI 251 (T Paliarathna 123, M Charman 3-5, G Pearson 3-62), SOA 149-9 (40 ovs).

Matara: Old Thomians 245-8 (35 ovs, U Chaminda 78, J Hall 3-25), SOA 135 (32.5 ovs, Extras 43).