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Friday, 3 February 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Lanka Academy emerged champions at the 9th Mercmarine Premier League soft ball cricket tournament, defeating Reederei Eugen Friederich (REF) in a thrilling final played at the Malay Grounds in Colombo recently.
K.S.I. Indika and Vimukthi Jayamanna played anchor roles in Lanka Academy’s winning feat in a match dominated by the batsmen.
The Mercmarine Premier League, considered the most popular sporting event among the seafaring community of Sri Lanka, saw 26 teams take part in this year’s tournament. Lanka Academy entered the finals as the champions of Group A while the REF team entered the finals from Group B.
The REF team elected to bat first after winning the toss and posted a whopping 69 runs for two wickets in five overs. REF’s C.J. Ariyasingha, who was in exceptional form, made a significant contributed to his team. Lanka Academy, chasing a challenging target of 70 runs in five overs, was initially given a torrid time by the REF bowlers but the seasoned Lanka Academy batsmen were strong enough to handle the pressure. Lanka Academy’s winning run came in the third ball of the fifth over off K.S.I. Indika’s bat.
C.J. Ariyasingha of REF was adjudged the Best Batsman of the Series while K.S.I. Indika of Lanka Academy was recognised as the Best Bowler of the Series. Vimukthi Jayamanna of Lanka Academy was awarded the Man of the Series award. The Mercmarine Premier League organising committee rewarded the winning team with a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 while the runner-up was rewarded with a cash prize of Rs. 25,000. The Mercmarine Premier League is the most popular sporting event in the Sri Lankan seafaring community’s calendar. Organised for the first time in 2009 by the Mercmarine Group’s Sport and Welfare Society, the tournament quickly became an annual event creating an opportunity for Sri Lankan seafarers to come together to celebrate the spirit of cricket.
The 9th edition of the Mercmarine Premier League saw the participation of 26 teams representing, educational institutes, Master Mariners, shipping companies and service suppliers such as banks and insurance companies.
