HATTRICK  2018

HATTRICK  2018, organized collaboratively by Rotaract Club of Colombo Fort along with Interact Club of Zahira College was truly a memorable day for Rotaractors of Rotaract Club of Alumni of University of Moratuwa. Moors` sports club grounds, Colombo was set for the game on February 25th 2018. Two teams from Rotaract Alumni Mora (lead by Rtr. Isuru Ruhunage & Rtr. Dilanjan Kalindu) competed for the Men’s championship, while one team (lead by Rtr. Shanika Sandeepani) competed for the Women’s championship in the Rotaract league.

Both the men’s teams received byes in the first round. In the second round, the initial match for Team A was against RAC Colombo West. It was quite a close win for the team by just 3 runs. However the match for Team B was more challenging! The match was against RAC Achievers Lanka Business School team. Team B was presented with the daunting task of chasing 89 for victory within 20 balls. After a truly admirable exhibition from the opening batsmen Gayan Weerasinghe, the team managed to achieve the target with 2 balls to spare. Gayan scored an unbeaten match winning half century. Along with the unbeaten show of sportsmanship, ranked at first place, both teams moved to the semi finals of Men’s Rotaract League.

Moving onto the semifinals of the Rotaract League, team A first competed with RAC Colombo Mid City and won comprehensively. After a tight match, Team B managed to beat RAC KDU Team A by 4 runs.

To both the utter dismay (supporters were quite confused as to whom to support!) and ecstasy of the Alumni Mora supporters, the final of Rotaract League was between the Alumni Team A and Team B.

By the midday, the women’s teams were called to the ground. The women’s team of Alumni Mora played against the team representing the organizers. The match limited to 4 overs was easily won by the Alumni Mora women’s team while chasing a target of 17 runs in 16 balls to secure the Hattrick Women’s Championship.

In the Men’s Rotaract League final, Team A managed to beat Team B comprehensively, thereby reaching the cup finals of HATTRICK 2018. Winners of Interact League final, Interact Club of DS Senanayake College was to play with the Team A.

Before the final match, teams were introduced to the chief guest Rtn. Priyan Hettipathirana, who is the president of Rotary Club of Colombo Fort. Coincidentally, he was a past pupil of DS Senanayake College and a graduate of University of Moratuwa. More importantly, a charter Vice President of Rotaract Mora!

Winning the toss and batting first, DS scored 69 runs in allotted 5 overs (20 balls). With the fading light, chasing 70 runs in a tense final match was not easy. The Alumni team got to a bad start, losing two quick wickets within few runs due to the accurate bowling of the DS team. The unfortunate beginning was no significant downturn for Ashen Ekanayake and Tharuka Dilshan. Ashen and Tharuka steadied the innings, displaying some great hittings right out of the park. When both got out requiring 10 runs in the final over, it was upto Jawadh Salih and the President of Rotaract Alumni Mora, Himantha Alahakoon to take the team home. Jawadh hit the first ball to the boundary, leaving just 6 to get in 3 balls. Eventually 2 wide balls brought what was an emphatic win under fading light. The ultimate win was a moment unexpected due to the let down at the beginning as well as the simple fact that the youngsters from DS were practically speaking, better sportsmen. The moment of winning was truly magical to say the least. Everyone charged to the ground to celebrate the emphatic win.

Rotaract League Champions in both men’s and women’s categories and finally the Overall champions of Hattrick 2018, Rotaract Alumni Mora was ecstatic with the excitement. The awards ceremony concluded the event with chief guest Rtn. Priyan Hettipathirana handing over the trophies to the winning team of the championship as well as the leagues.

Each win saw the Rotaractors of the Alumni Mora running to the pitch in bliss and excitement of a truly important victory. Defeating a team with seasoned school cricketers at the final was a pleasant shock no less to the spectators as well as the team! Not getting demotivated against the odds were a show of good sportsmanship! As the president of Rotaract Alumni Mora, Rtr. Himantha Alahakoon mentioned at the conclusion, Hattrick 2018 will go down as one of the best moments in the sporting history of Rotaract Alumni Mora.

Br Rtr. Hansadi Jayamaha