MAS Active lifts ‘Honda Trophy’ taking sweet revenge over CDB ‘B’

Opening batsman and wicket keeper, Roshan Wijesekera with a rock solid 62 runs in 46 balls, inclusive of a six and eight fours, guided MAS Active to a convincing 24 runswin over, Citizens Development Business Finance’B’ team, in the 11th Stafford Motor Co. (Pvt) Ltd, sponsored, ‘Honda’ Trophy – MCA ‘G’ division 25 Over League Tournament 2022 final, concluded at the MCA Grounds recently.   

Thus, MAS Active took sweet revenge over CDB ‘B’ on their earlier loss in the League stage by eight runs whilst, Roshan Wijesekera took his series tally to 345 runs in nine innings.   

MAS Active, who won the toss and batted, posted respectable 177 for the loss of nine wickets in 25 overs with Roshan Wijesekera playing the anchor, helped by a breeze innings by skipper Geeth Sankalpa (26 runs in nine balls, inclusive of four towering sixes) and a useful 13 runs in five balls with two sixes by the No. nine batsman, Heshan Thenuwara. Left arm off spinner, Isuru Jayaranga (5-0-22-4) bowled intelligently for CDB ‘B.”   
CDB ‘B’ unbeaten up to the final was felled by their complacent batting, most of their batsmen going for big shots early getting caught inside the ring.   

CDB ‘B’ Captain Weranga Dissanayake was one such a victim. He opened batting with Tharindu Madusanka in the second ball that he faced, went for a big hit and got caught in the deep by Heshan Thenuwara. (0 for 1).   
CDB ‘B’ never recovered from that shock start and four more wickets fell at 22, 23, 51 and 79 as they finally succumbed to 153 fornine in their allotted 25 overs; the match winning bowlers for MAS Active were Gihan Charuka (5 -0-32-3), Dushamantha Dissanayake (5 -0-29-1), Thilina Nupahewa (5-0-36-1) and Tharaka Sandaruwan (4-15-2).   

Match Referee, Sudath Munaweera had no hesitation of naming MAS Active’s , Roshan Wijesekera ( 62 runs, one stump and a catch) as his Man of the Match.   

The other three special awards, based on performances up to the semi finals went to Tharaka Sampath Silva from Brandix Essentials, best bowler (eight matches, 187 balls, 181 runs, 18 wickets). Pawantha Maduranga Weerasinghe from Softlogic Life, was adjudged the best batsman and Man of the Series (eight matches, 339 runs and 13 wickets for 183 runs).Awards were given away by Director/CEO, Charaka Perera (Chief Guest). General Manager Administration, Damitha Jayasundera, Guest of Honour, both from Stafford Motor Co. (Pvt Ltd; President, Nalin Wickramesinghe, Ex-co Member & Chairman, Digital & Information Committee, Hasitha Dassanayake and Secretary Tournament Committee, Lakmal de Silva, all from MCA. 
(BM)  

Chief Scores
MAS Active – 177/9 (25) (Sashen Dissanayake 17, Roshan Wijesekera 62, Geeth Sankalpa 26, Vimukthi Deshapriya 16, Eranda Rukshan 2/21, Isuru Jayaranga 4/22)   
CDB “B” – 153/9 (25) ( Vishwa Ratnayake 19, Eranda Rukshan 37, Chamil Silva 26, Isuru Jayaranga 20, Gihan Charuka 3/32, Tharaka Sandaruwan 2/15)