Medics first team wilt under the scorching sun
An amber warning going onto red
A parched outfield devoid of green
A heat wave so hot, never before seen
Sets the scene for the yearly cricketing feud
They strolled in from near and far
In wavy whites and flattering flannels
In Borough of Harrow met cricketing rivals
An annual dual, not quite a war
The players there were but Forty four
The referees on the ground there were four
Two teams each side strove to the middle
For supremacy with ball and bat they would struggle.
After five hours of gruelling tussle
Weary legs and tired bodies, some no longer supple
The second team medics had a comprehensive win
While their first team, wilted under the scorching sun.
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Minoth Kanagaratnam the Medical skipper was hoping to chase even before the toss. Manoj Warnapala winning the toss obliged with no hesitation taking the first lease.
Both teams had lost two of their key play makers in the days leading up to the match.
The balance of the teams was fairly even on paper with some new faces in either camp providing exciting possibilities.
Will the inexperienced Medics trump the Seasoned lawyers this year?
The first over set the scene. Chameera Dondeenu flashed his bat to every ball. The first contact flew to the slips at a catchable height. This was duly spilt by the usually dependable Vinod who gave an instant diagnosis of slippery palm due to suncream. As he was the only dermatologist nobody would challenge him either.
The two Mo’s, Ramali & Akram toiled in the hot unrelenting sun. Sadly every nick and contact flew to the boundary line. Taking heed from bazball technique of the English camp the portly Chameera just flayed with gay abandon. The first 50 coming up in about 10 overs and the second even faster( 16th). Any vague chances flew between the fielders. Clearly it was Chameera’s lucky day. Plenty of stoical support continued throughout the Lawyers innings with useful contributions from Skipper Manoj Warnapala(31), Dilan Fernando (27) Dasith Gamage(22) , Shavin Fernando ( 21 ). At no stage did the run rate fall as the legal team accumulated steadily.
In the absence of the previously tried and tested spin options, Minoth delayed the bowling change that was required. Eventually Young Matiss Siyambalapitiya and Inzam Irfan were introduced but the legal batters were rampant. A double wicket by Matiss and another by Inzam failed to slow the rate down appreciably. Some control was enforced by Heshan Abeywickrama but that too was rather brief. Neil Siriwardana was able to latch onto some catchable ones off his own bowling and bagged 4 important scalps. Two from fairly well deceived full tosses.
With all the batters batting with some freedom after the openers provided necessary cushion, the Lawyers racked up a score of 263 at the innings break. (40 overs)
Captain Minoth was full of encouragement to his young guns on whom much depended. “This score is indeed, certainly, definitely gettable” mused Minoth urging every ounce of energy from the exhausted medics. Opening the Innings for the medics, Vidurath Mayadunne played a watchful and cautious innings. His partner young Matiss Siyambalapitiya meanwhile was playing with assurance beyond his youthful age and scored some very crisp and fluent strokes two of which sailed over the line. The first 50 runs was slow, then out of no where, Matiss was given out when in full flow. He was perplexed as the only part the ball touched, was the outer thigh pad. Of course the batsman always knows best! Nevertheless he accepted the raised finger and marched off. A decision which would have easily been referred for a technological review, on any other day, any other match. Unfortunately there was no snicko to fall back on. May be one day!!
Luck was not with the medics on this day.
Number three Vishane Mendis soon followed and out skipped the skipper. Very uncharacteristically Minoth did not look fluent and failed to time the ball. The asking run rate meanwhile was creeping up all the time. Sensing this Vidurath tried to open up but only managed to find the long on. There was some hope that the incoming Vinodh would team up with the skipper and lift the run rate. Minoth unfortunately got a glance off the glove which the legal “guardian of stumps” gleefully accepted.
A major rebuilding was required and young Heshan Abeywickrame, together with Veteran Vinodh Elangasinghe set about with purpose. Trying to break the shackles, attempting an unwise reverse sweep Vinod let go of a promising situation. Don’t they look fantastic when they work?? But when they don’t, it looks very silly.? Doesn’t it? Heshan batted manfully with the tail but the task proved beyond the resources at hand. A limping Shameh Farook and a tired lower order just manged to last the overs with the medics finishing with 214 for loss of 9 wickets.
The lawyers utilised no less than 9 bowlers in an attempt to confuse the medics. These I presume are standard strategies in the profession. The main wicket takers were Shavin Fernando 2/32, Nalinda Premachandra 2/42 and Inesh Warnapala 2/48. Special mention was made of the wicket keeper Dasith Gamage who collected 3 catches and 2 stumpings to collect the man of the match award as he also contributed 22 valuable runs to the legal cause.
The best batsman trophy was awarded to Chameera `Dondeenu ( 68) and the best bowler award to young Neil Siriwardana for his 4 wickets for 50 runs.
Notable performers for SLMDA were the youngsters, Heshan Abeywickreme ( 48) and Matiss Siyambalapitiya (31) and the veteran Vinodh Elangasinghe (34).
Revenge by the Seconds
The SLMDA Second team were determined to avenge their unexpected loss last year.
They took the first lease at the crease. In an even more friendly atmosphere with modified rules allowing all who participated to enjoy the game, skipper Priyantha Siriwardana set the tone. After the openers (Yasath Samarage & Miyuru Mudduwa) starting briskly to put on 25 runs on the board, and useful partnerships followed. No less than 3 batters (Uditha, Skipper Priyantha & Young Dinil) retired at a score of 30 whilst Nandasiri also contributed 25 runs. A very respectable total of 206 ( off 30 overs) was on the board at innings break. All the players having had a turn with the willow.
In reply the lawyers second team was in trouble right from the start losing their first 5 batters cheaply. Miles Sriharan boldly tried to enforce some sanity with a well constructed 27 not out but nobody else managed to stay with him. They folded for a sorry 70 runs in the end, off 26overs. The margin of victory being a whopping 136 runs. This comprehensive result somewhat compensated for the loss by the first team.
Sam Samarage, Miyuru grabbed 2 scalps each while all the other bowlers took one each.
This was a very emphatic victory for the second team a very welcome reversal of fortunes.
Awards : Man of the match Dinil Siriwardana (31* + 1 wkt + wicket keeping runout)
Best batsman Uditha Jayatunga . Best Bowler Hemantha Warnapala 2 for 19.
It was noted that both the matches were contested with the highest traditions of cricketing rivalry and greatly enjoyed by all the players.
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Netball Encounter
There was great enthusiasm for the ladies to show their sporting prowess. Leaving the searing sun they settled on the shady part of the ground to mark out a suitable court. However the uneven surface and the crude line markings were not really conducive to safe play. This resulted in more injury than was necessary. The legal dames convincingly beat the medical angels in an otherwise enjoyable game.
Event organisation;The organisational aspect was also impeccable with Daminda.Gunathilleke taking the lead and Lalith Sudasinghe providing ample support. Auffer Asver handled the liaison with SLMDA and Malanie Weerasinghe was responsible for coordinating the netball team.
The atmosphere was very friendly and music and food enhanced the occasion.
Ajantha Jayatunga
28/07/2022
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