St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna, under 17 Cricket Team entered the ‘Final’ of the Division III island-wide Schools Cricket Tournament conducted by the All Island Schools Cricket Association of Sri Lanka by beating St. Benedict’s College, Colombo 13. The match was played at the Ananda College grounds, Maradana, Colombo 10, on 10th October 2010. St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna, took the first lease of the wicket and scored 230 runs in their allotted 50 overs. The Benedictines were bundled out for 136 runs in 42.3 overs thus allowing St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna, to move to the Final, which will be played at the BRC grounds on 14th October 2010.
The sterling performance by the hard-hitting all-rounder Gavaskar scoring 60 runs not out and taking 4 Benedictine wickets paved the way for the great Patrician victory. This all-rounder has amassed over 800 runs in the tournament and also holds the record highest individual score of 146 runs against Hikkaduwa Central College… In all probability, he will be adjudged the Best Batsman of the tournament at the conclusion of the Final on 14th October 2010. Gavaskar was ably supported by Tudor, a very stylish right-handed opening batsman, Alestin, Kugabala, and Nobert who all reached double figures. Together they kept the Benedictines guessing by their professional approach to the game. Incidentally, Tudor, who also keep wickets for the team, has already been selected for the Under-17 National Pool for the Asia Cup Tournament to be held in Malaysia.

Many members of the Committee of Management of SPC Alumni, Colombo Branch, namely the President Mr. J.B.M. Ponrajah, Past Presidents Messrs M.D. Jesuthasan, B.J. Vincent and Brig. Lakshman David, Secretary Mr. Roy Nicholas, Past Secretary Mr. P.M.G. Selvarajah, and the Past Secretary and present Editor Mr. W.C.M. Gunartnam witnessed the entire match giving encouragement to the Players as well as to the staff. The writer was amazed to see the excellent stroke play, brilliant catching and outstanding ground fielding. All credit should go to our Rector Rev. Fr. Jero Selvanayagam and the staff, specially the Prefect of Games cum Coach Mr. S. Sahayarajah, Bro. Francis, the Cricket Advisors, Rev. Fr. A.P. Thirumahan, the Bursar and the Master- in-Charge Mr. M.A. Niroshan who were all there behind the young cricketers to record this great win. The performance of the team was so professional, I thought the National Team was engaged in the competition!
It is beyond all doubts that the young Patrician Team has great potential that could be developed with proper training, nourishing and guidance. Already 3 Players from the First Eleven have been chosen by the prestigious Club, the Tamil Union, for training to enter the National Pool of Cricketers. This was possible because of Mr. Dinal Philips, Chairman Cricket, Tamil Union. He is the son of Mr. Rex Philips, Past President, and the Present Vice Patron of SPC Alumni Association, Colombo Branch.

It surfaced at a discussion after the match that most of the players hail from poor middle class families in the North. It was also revealed that there is a dearth for cricketing outfit for the up and coming cricketers. Can we therefore ask the generous Patricians living abroad to please contact the Rector and meet the requirements with a view to exposing untapped talents of Patricians?

The entire team and the staff were hosted to dinner that evening by the Committee of Management of St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna, Alumni Association, Colombo Branch.

We once again commend the Rector, Staff and the Players for their splendid achievement in reaching the Final. After watching the Semi-Final, we at the Colombo Alumni have absolutely no doubt the “Trophy” will be clinched by the Patricians at the Final on 14th October 2010.

EDITOR ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE, JAFFNA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, COLOMBO BRANCH