Nayana top scorer of the tournament as Moratuwa win Governor’s Trophy

Paceman Thevin Eriyagama and spinners Dilshan Mendis and Savindu Peiris took three wickets apiece to lead Moratuwa SC to 64 runs victory over Old Dharmapalians SC in the Governor’s Trophy tournament final at the Colts Cricket Ground on Sunday.

After their skipper Nayana Fernando top scored with 75 runs for them to post 240 runs in their allotted 50 overs, Moratuwa SC restricted their opponents to 176 runs.

Chasing a target of 241 runs to win, half of the battling line up of Old Dharmapalians was back in the pavilion by the eighth over with just 26 runs on the scoreboard. They continued to lose wickets at regular intervals and were 76 for eight wickets in the 19th over before Ayesh Harshana and Shanaka Sampath produced some rearguard action to delay the inevitable.

The duo put on 101 runs for the ninth wicket before Harshana was bowled by Yohan Perera for 59 runs (96 balls, 6x4s). Number nine batsman Sampath remained unbeaten on 51.

Batting first Moratuwa had their batting opener Sithara Hapuhinna making 38 and number four batsman Yohan Perera contributing with 45 runs to make the top order look formidable.

However, it was the half century scored by their skipper Nayana Fernando that set the stage for the victory. Batting at number six, Fernando anchored the late order and was the last man out. Fernando scored seven fours and two sixes in his innings.

With his 75 runs in the final Nayana concluded the tournament as the highest run scorer with an aggregate of 377 runs.

The final victory was a huge achievement for Moratuwa compared to their performance at the last edition. According to team manager Chinthaka Munasinghe the team were out in the first round at the last tournament. The team coached by Chinthaka Fernando competed in group ‘B’ alongside Old Dharmapalians, Digamadulla, Unichella, Ratnapura and Crusaders. Incidentally, Old Dhamapalians were the champions in their group.

Kandurata, Ambepussa Sinha, Old Dharmapalians, Rajarata, Leo’s, Moratuwa, Kandy YCC and Old Servatius were the teams to advance to the quarter-finals of the 24-team competition.

While Old Dharmapalians edged out Rajarata in the quarter-finals, Moratuwa beat Leo’s.

In the semi-finals, Moratuwa beat Ambepussa Sinha, while Old Dharmapalians beat Old Servatius’.

The members of the Moratuwa Sc who played in the final were: Sithara Hapuhinna, Shalin de Mel, Lasith Warnakulasooriya, Yohan Perera, Madushika Sandaruwan, Nayana Fernando (Captain), Rasindu Fernando, Savindu Peiris, Dilshan Mendis, Thevin Eriyagama and Chathura Vithana.

Scores:

Moratuwa SC

240 for 8 in 50 overs (Sithara Hapuhinna 38, Yohan Perera 45, Nayana Fernando 75; Shanaka Sampath 3/48)

Old Dharmapalians SC

176 all out in 42.2 overs (Rajitha Weerasinghe 22, Ayesh Harshana 59, Shanaka Sampath 51n.o.; Dilshan Mendis 3/27, Thevin Eriyagama 3/19, Savindu Peiris 3/40)

(RF)