King City Cricket Grounds Toronto was the venue for the game

The Trinity College OBA Cricket Team and the St. Anthony’s College OBA Cricket team held their annual “Lions vs the Eagles” cricket match. This game was organized by “Can Indo Lanka” at King City Cricket Grounds Toronto, Canada on the 1st of July, 2009 - Canada Day.

Two games were played on this beautiful day and the Sri Lankan cricket energy was felt right throughout the day. Family members and friends gathered to cheer their loved ones and cricketers from both sides. They took to the field each with the intention of winning against the opposing team. The rivalry, the energy, the enthusiasm was still very much alive when the Trinity Lions were put up against the St. Anthony’s Eagles.

TCK vs SACK – Masters Game

The day started with the “Masters Game” amidst a large crowd of supporters from both tents. After winning the toss, the Trinity Skipper elected to field.

Lead by Captain Kuda Wadugodapitiya, the Lions were determined to flick the feathers of the Eagles. Anthonians lead by skipper Hiran Wijesinghe got off to a decent start but soon fell prey to the stiff bowling attack by the Lions. Niroshan Selvarajah recorded the best bowling figures ( 02/05) followed by Kaushaliya Wadogodapitiya finishing off at 02/11.

The dismissal of one time Sri Lankan school boy cricketer of the year Damien Nadarajah, 25, gave momentum to the Eagles losing wickets at quick intervals. Franco Ratnam did remarkably well for the Anthonian Eagles although Trinitians were able to wrap the Eagle side for 74 runs in the allocated 15 overs.

The Lions took the field as the Eagles prepared to defend their score. Although the Anthonians were blessed with some talented bowlers, the Trinitians recorded a confident win losing only 2 wickets to thrash the Anthonians in their Annual Masters game. Sudharshan Selvarajah and Kaushaliya Wadugodapitiya wasted no time in going after the Anthonian bowling attack with some classic strokes played by these talented cricketers. Trinity won the game by 8 wickets to go on record as the winners of the TCK vs SACK – Masters Game 2009.

TCK vs SACK - Eagles meet the Lions

The Anthonians were determined to defend their title as champs!

Trinity was captained by Ratnakumar Selvaratnam and Prem Nadarajah was the appointed skipper of the Anthonians. After winning the toss, the Anthonians chose to bat. The Eagles got off to a very good start with Ashok and Damien at the crease. They were playing with a lot of confidence and the Trinitians were misfielding and not making much effort to go after some easy catchers despite some good bowling by Captain Ratnakumar Selvaratnam ( 03/31) , Romesh Angunawela ( 02/11), Sudharshan Selvarajah and Samantha Herath.

Although the Trinitians wanted the Anthonians to be restricted to a total of around 150 in their allocated 30 overs, Damien Nadarajah and Kuganesh Pitchamuthu were strengthening their partnership and looked very dangerous. Anthonian coach and dedicated cricketer Kuganesh was an important bat giving much needed support to Damein. Both played extremely well and posed a huge threat to the Trinitians. After a brilliant spell of 31 runs Kuganesh was sent back to the pavilion.

Titus Paulraj was the only other Anthonian who was able to give the support that Nadarajah was looking for and played some beautiful strokes to put the Anthonians back in the game. Titus wasted no time going after the Trinity bowling attack and looked more dangerous than Nadarajah .

At last Osmund Sinnaturai was able to deliver the break through for Trinity as Damian Nadarajah went in for the big hit and was brilliantly caught close to the ropes by a Trinity Fielder . With danger man Damian Nadarajah (53) back in the pavilion the Lions were gathering to wrap the Anthonians below 150. Titus Paularaj after scoring a superb 24, was the next to leave the crease and wickets fell regularly to end the Anthonian innings at 173 / 7 in 30 overs.

With a run rate of almost 6 per over the Lions were eager to win the match and relied on their able batsman Ajith Pitigala, Ratnakumar Selvaratnam, Kaushaliya Wadugodapitiya, Sudharshan Selvarajah, & Samantha Herath to guide Trinity to victory.

But the Eagles were "flying high" with their tremendous bowling attack and the Trinitians were losing wickets at a fast rate although Romesh managed to hold his wicket until the end of the Trinity innings. Finally the Anthonians were able trap Romesh as he went in for a big hit off a delivery by ace bowler Bimal Fernando and the ball landed in the safe hands of T K Pillai. Captain Ratnakumar(31) was the only Trinitian who was able to record a decent score and the Anthonians were able to knock the Lions off for 118 runs. Bimal Fernando (03 /13) recorded the best bowling figures for the Anthonians followed by Dilshan 02/07, Titus Paularaj 03/21 , Ashok 02/26.

It was a fabulous day of cricket that ended with a nice sing song session put through by musically talented Trevor Brown and a group of female Baila singers.

Anthonian Side: Prem Nadarajah ( Capt ), TK Pillai,Damien Nadaraja,Kuganesh Pitchamuthu,Trevor Brown,Titus Paulraj,Ashok Dewarayan ,Chamila Rajapaksa,Dilshan Sudesh Aarachi,Bimal Fernando and Arittha De Livera

Trinity Side: Ratnakumar Selvaratnam (Capt),Kuda Wadugodapitiya, Ajith Pitigala,Sudharshan Selvarajah, Romesh Angunawela, Samantha Herath, Niroshan Selvarajah, Osmund Sinnaturai, Dinesh Herath,Kaushaliya Wadugodapitiya and Ajitha Gunawardena.