Sri Lanka Lions Premiers In 2018
The Srilanka Lions Sports Club won the NSW Classics Cricket Competition for over 50 cricketers organised by the Sydney Masters Cricket Association in New South Wales last Sunday 11th March 2018 in a very close game against the Burwood Briars Cricket Club played at Monty Bennett Oval, Wentworthville. Burwood Briars got 179 for 4 wickets in their 40 overs & the SriLanka Lions reached their target in 38 overs. This is the premier cricket tournament for players over 50 years in Sydney. There are sixteen ( 16 ) teams in this competition which is played on turf wickets with many teams having ex-Grade cricketers. The SriLanka Lions finished up with 376 points followed in second place by last years Premiers Georges River Cricket Club with 368 points. The team was captained this year by Ex-Old Joe Kevin Pereira. The rest of the team that played in the last game was: Todd O’Keefe, Rohan Wijesinghe, Thomas George, Boyd Parsons, Chitral Perera, Max Labrooy, Duminda De Silva, Janaka Rambukwella, Gavin Mallawarachchi, Suresh Mirando & Ruwan Atukorale.
Other Players who missed the final game were:
Harry Solomons ( Injured )
Cuthbert Berenger ( Representing Australia in the Over 70 Test Series against England )
Senerath Seneviratne ( Overseas )
Steve Jacobs ( Unavailable )
The Over 50 Classics Competition has been played for the past Ten ( 10 ) years with the Lions Team being a very strong & competitive side every year and finally winning the Premiership this year. The side has always finished the season amongst the top 6 teams.
The club played 11 games this season & was undefeated this season and was represented mainly by Over 50 cricketers of SriLankan origin supported & supplemented by players from other nationalities who are warmly welcomed to the team by the Club management & other players.
On the field the side is highly respected for the ability & quality of the players. Off the field, the Club is very famous for its tasty & spicy Afternoon Tea that it supplies at every Home Game played at Monty Bennett Oval.
The SriLanka Lions Sports Club was founded in 1979 by the late Mr. Kularatna De Silva, Mr. Tiddy Wijeratne & Mr. Don Jayasinghe. The Club celebrates its 40th Birthday in 2019 & continues to be the Premier SriLankan Cricket Club in Australia.
The Club has already organised 2 Cricket Tours to SriLanka in 1996 & 1998. The Club very successfully conducted the Under 16 Junior Cricket Carnival for Ten ( 10 ) years from 2001 to 2010 initiated by Mr. Jayantha Jayaweera.
The Club also has a Over 50 Social Cricket Team which plays about 5 games every year. These games are organised to provide sporting opportunities for Over 50 cricketers at a lesser intensity level.
The Club has started an Annual Over 50 game against the Hobart Veterans Team which is now in its fourth year.
The Club also has re-started its Annual Game against the Canberra Ceylon Cricket Club.
