Hard work helped Moratuwa SC gain recognition in top grade cricket

by Dilwin MENDIS - Moratuwa Sports Corr.

CRICKET: Hard work has its rewards - those encouraging words in the minds of the Moratuwa cricket fans was something that helped Catamarans Sports Club to get on in their efforts of making progress in cricket even though they had no playground of their own.

Prince of Wales College, St. Sebastian's College, Moratu Vidyalaya and Methodist High School produced cricketers of quality. They had to go to Colombo Clubs if they wished to continue with the game of cricket, but often they were overlooked as most of the clubs eyed for cricketers from prestigious Colombo schools.

The principals of schools of the area were genuinely interested to form a sports club. Though they played the game since 1941 Moratuwa Sports Club obtained a Club House only in 1951. late Mr. Peter de Soysa was the first President of the newly formed club and coaxed the Moratuwa Urban Council to lease out the De Soysa Park to the newly formed Moratuwa Sports Club.

Late messrs J.B.C. Rodrigo, Annesley de Mel, Rolly Fernando, Jacob Fernando, D.H.L. de Silva, G.P. de Silva to name a few, were instrumental in getting the ground. Sir Alan Rose - the then Chief Justice, ceremonially declared open the new Club House in 1951. Till 1957 Moratuwa Sports Club played in the 'Daily News' Trophy Cricket Tournament and that year Moratuwa Sports Club did well to reach the final beating Saracens Sports Club while Nondescripts Cricket Club also reached the final by beating Badulla Sports Club.

Now Moratuwa Sports Club had got their opportunity of making their presence felt in the final against the NCC. The final was at the NCC grounds and there was a large crowd to witness the vital final.

The NCC got off to a somewhat scoring spree and rattled up 302 for 8 wickets at which score they declared. Former Thomian C. Chellaraj top scored for the NCC with 71 and other valuable contributions came from V. Obeysekera (49), Malcolm Brohier (40), R.N. Duckworth (31) and Ansar Fuard (42). Chellaraj and Ansar Fuard put on 102 runs for the sixth wicket while on the bowling front for the Moratuwa Sports Club, the late D.D. Jayasinghe and B. de Silva had figures of 3 for 89 and 3 for 34 respectively.

Moratuwa Sports Club captained by A.T.J. Peiris made a bold reply and when stumps were drawn they were 241 for 6 wickets and the match ended in a draw. Moratuwa Sports Club satisfied the authorities and they were promoted to play in the Saravanamuttu Trophy Cricket Tournament the following year, as the NCC already had a team in the Saravanamuttu Trophy Cricket Tournament.

When Moratuwa Sports Club batted, there was late H.I. Fernando who made 59 while Stanley Fonseka was 46 not out. In bowling, C. Chellaraj and E. Perera had 2 for 50 and 2 for 19 for Moratuwa Sports Club.

So, this was the beginning and from this stage onwards Moratuwa Sports Club went from strength to strength and made their presence felt on the cricket scene in Sri Lanka.

NCC: 302 for 8 wickets (V. Obeysekera 49, E. Perera 18, R.N. Duckworth 31, M. Brohier 40, R. Brothier 29, C. Chellaraj 71, Ansar Fuard 42, D.D. Jayasinghe 3 for 69, S. Fonseka 2 for 76, Swiny Fernando 2 for 69, B. de Silva 3 for 34).

Moratuwa SC: 241 for 6 wkts (B. Premachandra 65, S. Mendis 17, D.D. Jayasinghe 35, H.I. Fernando 59, S. Fonseka 40 not out, C. Chellaraj 2 for 50, E. Perera 2 for 19).