MCA Cricket: Stafford Motors win Division ‘G’ title

A heroic 65 scored off 49 deliveries by former Nalandian Sanjaya Gangodawila, who batted with 6 sutures in the hand, and a 5-wicket haul by Pramesh Fernando, spearheaded Stafford Motors to an 8-wicket win over Palliyaguruge Group in the 6th Stafford-Honda, MCA ‘G’ Division 25-Over League Tournament 2016 final concluded at the MCA grounds last weekend. 

Palliyaguruge Group, winning the toss and electing to bat, put up a disappointing performance with some reckless batting, as they failed to go the full distance. 

Stafford Motors' 4-pronged spin attack spearheaded by Pramesh Fernando (4.4-0-32-5), Asantha Singappuli (5-0-25-1), Shanaka Sampath (5-0-25-2) and Skipper, Amila Mendis (5-0-24-1), spun a deadly web round the batsmen. 

Opener, Harsha de Silva (30 in 27 balls with 1 six and 4 fours) and Mohamed Muthalif (37 in 35 balls with a six and 4 fours) were the only batsmen to stand and fight for Palliyaguruge Group, who were all out for 137 in 23.4 overs. 

Stafford Motors, who took to the fast lane from the start, easily reached their target losing only 2 wickets in the process, after Sanjaya Gangodawila together with Asantha Singappuli (36 not out in 47 balls) were engaged in a solid 92 runs stand for the 2nd wicket in 75 balls. 

Match Referee, Thusitha Karunaratne (Sri Lanka Army) picked Pramesh Fernando (Stafford) as his Man of the Match over Sanjaya Gangodawila (Stafford).
 
The other 3 Special awards based on performances in the League and the knockout stage (up to semi finals) went to Tharindu Siriwardena of Maliban Biscuits, for Best Bowler (8 matches 38 overs, 157 runs, 18 wickets, best 6 for 16 Vs. Roche Products). 

Anjula Perera of Maliban Biscuits, for Best Batsman (6 innings, 363 runs, 2 not outs, best 157 not out Vs. Roche Products). 

Asantha Singappuli of Stafford Motors, for Man of the Tournament, (8 innings 324 runs inclusive of 4 half-centuries and 29.3 overs, 155 runs, 13 wickets).
 
Paliyaguruge Group 137 all out (23.4) (Harsha de Silva 30, B. Palliyaguruge 11, D. Harischandra 10, M. Muthalif 37, U. Rajapaksa 12, Pramesh Fernando 5/32, Shanaka Sampath 2/25) 

Stafford Motors 139 for 2 wickets (20.3) (Sanjaya Gangodawila 69, Asantha Singappuli 36 not out, Romesh Fernando 18)