Hirdaramani battle Stafford for MCA ‘F’ Division title on Sunday

It will be a grudge match for the Hirdaramani Group when they take on Stafford Motor Co. for the second occasion, this time in the final of the 2nd MCA ‘F’ Division 25 Over League Tournament 2017 sponsored by Commercial Credit and Finance Plc, on Sunday at the MCA Grounds, commencing at 10.00 a.m.

The two teams earlier played in the same group and Stafford Motors beat Hirdaramani by 34 runs in their league outing played on 22 April in Panadura. 

In the league stage both teams finished with four wins and a loss a piece with an equal number of points. Thus the Group ‘B’ positions were determined by the team’s superior net run rate, with Stafford Motors (1.30) taking the top spot while Hirdaramani (1.03) claimed the second berth. 

Stafford Motors started off badly, losing to Janashakthi by four wickets. But then onwards they moved onto a winning track, beating Union Bank by 106 runs, Hirdaramani by 34 runs, MAS Linea Aqua by 23 runs and the Palliyaguruge Group by two runs on the D&L method.

Hirdaramani beat MAS Linea Aqua by nine wickets, Janashakthi Insurance by four wickets and Union Bank by six wickets before losing to Stafford Motors by 34 runs and then beating the Palliyaguruge Group by seven wickets. 

The top 16 teams from the five groups advanced to the second round. Stafford Motors was ranked fifth and Hirdaramani was ranked eighth. 

In the elimination round matches, Hirdaramani, who were drawn into the top half, beat WNS Global (No. 9) by 67 runs in the pre-quarterfinals, beat No. 16 Janashakthi Insurance (who eliminated the top seed Hayleys Group ‘B’) by three wickets in the quarterfinals and beat No. 11 Palliyaguruge Group (who eliminated No. 6, Access Group) by eight wickets in the semifinals.

Stafford Motors, drawn into the bottom half, beat Totalamber (No. 12) by 14 runs on the D&L method in the pre-quarterfinals, beat No. 2 Textured Jersey ‘B’ by 54 runs in the quarterfinals and beat No. 3 Brandix Essentials ‘B’ by 64 runs in the semifinals. 

Both captains led from the front in the semifinals. Stafford Motors Captain Geeth Karunaratne from Maliyadewa College, Kurunegala, procured the second hat-trick of the tournament (5-27-4) and Hirdaramani Captain Krishantha Aruna from Thakshila MMV, Horana top-scored with a well compiled 65 runs off 45 balls inclusive of 3 sixes and 8 fours. 

The other top performers in the tournament were right arm medium pace bowler Anwaz Sahran (32.4 overs, 156 runs, 17 wickets) from Hirdaramani, middle-order batsman Asantha Singappuli (eight innings, 210 runs and one half-century) and spinner Amila Mendis (34.4 overs, 191 runs and 16 wickets) both from Stafford Motors. 

The Match Referee cum Adjudicator at the final will be Varuna Waragoda.

Weather will be the key to Sunday’s Final. The MCA will keep 70% of the ground covered and the other redeeming factor is the match will be extended to the afternoon session in case of a rain interruption. Both teams must play eight overs each for a result. 

Teams

 

Hirdaramani Group (from left): Krishantha Aruna (Captain), Umesh Sachin (Vice Captain), Kavindu Madushanka, Hasan Lakshitha, Damindu Thiranjan, Udesh Wilegoda, Maheepa Madhushanka, Viraj Rathdella,  Maduranga Niroshan, Mohamed Sahran, Kavindu Eranga, Rajitha Asanka, Dinesh Chaminda, Prashan Dinusha, Ranga Maheepala, Shanilka Dindumal, Maduranga Dilshan, Dulaj Harshana and Sathira Weerasinghe. 

Stafford motor Co. Ltd. (from left): Geeth Karunaratne (Captain), Amila Mendis, Rathika Raj, Asantha Singappuli, Sajeewa Vishan, Dammika Kumara,  Supin Wijesundara, Shanaka Sampath, Dushan Sulakshana, Vikum Peiris, Kalpa Peshan, Janith Maduwantha, Anjalo Eranga, Mark Madawa Dilruk, Ravindra Lal, Harshana Dharmakeerthi, Charindu Ginendra, Gayan Peiris, Nash Casiechetty and Dakshina Madumantha