Chilaw Marians lift Under 23 title for fifth time

(Pohoto on left : Star performer of the final Geeth Kumara)

By M. Shamil Amit

Chilaw Marians clinched the Under 23 cricket title for the fifth time with a first innings lead against NCC in the final played at the SSC ground.

Marians won the title previously in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007.

The winners resuming on their overnight score of 122 for 2 batted through the entire final day piling up a massive 527 for 6 with a double-century stand between skipper Umesh Karunaratne and Geeth Kumara.

The pair put on a mammoth 261 runs for the fourth wicket with Kumara who made a match winning knock of 98 in the first innings, followed it up with a career best knock of 181.

Kumara’s marathon knock which came off 336 balls had 17 boundaries and two sixes while Karunaratne’s 139-ball knock of 123 had 16 boundaries and two sixes.

Aftr Karunaratne fell Geeth added a further 100 for the fifth wicket with Samin Kandanaarachchi who made an unbeaten 62 with seven boundaries and two sixes.

It was the dedication and understanding of the players that enabled them to clinch the title said an elated captain Umesh Karunaratne speaking to the Daily Mirror after the match.

It was Geeth Kumara’s knock of 98 that laid the foundation which was followed by the six wicket haul by right arm pacie Arosh Janoda that helped them for the title.

“Right throughout the season we were not short of talent as every player made contributions towards our success with dedication and determination. When one player failed there was another to take over and that was the spirit which earned us this title.” Said Karunaratne.

When the season started we came with one intention, of becoming champions said an elated coach Mahesh Weerasinghe who in his coaching career of over three decades has over 40 championship titles in both school and club level.

“The boys were well disciplined and I had no problem with them which was one of the main cause and the contribution coming from my assistant coach S.K. Silva and fielding coach M.M.A. Rohitha too should be commended for the teams’ success.” Added Weerasinghe.

Eight of the players were in luck's way namely skipper Umesh Karunaratne, Lahiru Weragala, Arosh Janoda, Geeth Alwis, Geeth Kumara, Sanath Silva, Shalitha Silva and Buddi Samarawickrama.

They were rewarded for their tireless work by the Bank of Ceylon Chairman Dr. Gamini Wickramasinghe and Deputy General Manager Sam Samarasinghe who offered the players employment at BOC.
 

Chilaw Marians 242 (Geeth Kumara 98, Buddi Samarawickrama 46, Umesh Karunaratne 36, Shihan Kamileen 17: Chathura Peiris 6 for 50, Roshan Laksiri 2 for 47) and (122/2 overnight) 527 for 6 (Geeth Kumara 181, Umesh Karunaratne 123, Lahiru Weragala 56, Geeth Alwis 42, Shihan Kamileen 21, Samin Kandanaarachchi 62 n.o.: Praboda Arthavidu 2 for 42, Imesh Udayanga 2 for 100)

NCC 175 (Shashrika Pussegolla 57, Roshan Laksiri 35, Rishan Kavinga 33, Haroon Mowjood 19: Arosh Janoda 6 for 46, Geeth Alwis 2 for 4)