SAPPER OFFICERS’ ANNUAL CRICKET ENCOUNTER 2023 HELD AT SAPPERS' CRICKET STADIUM AT THE HOME OF SAPPERS

The Annual Sapper Officers Cricket Encounter was held on 24 March 2023 at the Sappers Cricket Stadium, Mattegoda. The event was organised by the Workshop Regiment under the guidance of the Regimental Centre - Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers. Major General MK Jayawardena, the Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers and Chief Field Engineer graced the event as the Chief Guest, together with the participation of council members, Senior Sapper Officers, Officers and Other Ranks.

T20 cricket match was played between two teams nominated by the organising committee, the Blue Sappers team and the Red Sappers team. Reds won the toss and elected to bat first. Blue sappers managed to curtail red team for 123 in 19 overs. Brig Manoj Maduraperuma scored 68 runs. The Blue Sappers chased the target scoring 124 for six wickets in 18 overs. Maj Chanaka Marambage scored 29 runs in 30 balls and Maj Gen Lanka Amarapala scored 29 runs (not out) in 33 balls, who was playing a match winning inning under pressure.

Maj Gen Lanka Amarapala became the man of the match with his performance scoring of 29 for 33 balls (not out), taking 2 wickets for 5 runs in his 3 overs spell and displayed an outstanding performance in the fielding department. Brig Manoj Madurapperuma became the best batsman for his outstanding 68 runs and Brig Mangala Mayadunna was the best baller who claimed 3 Wickets for 14 runs. Colonel Commandant gave away the trophies as indicated bellow.

Champions trophy - Blue team

Man of the Match - Maj Gen Lanka Amarapala RWP RSP ndc psc

Best Batsman - Brig Manoj Madurapperuma RSP USP psc

Best Bowler - Brig Mangala Mayadunne RSP USP

This year Sapper Officers' Cricket Encounter was held in advance, in order to pay courtesy respect to Brig Mangala Mayadunna who is due in his retirement in the month of May, and has contributed immensely to uplift the standards of the sappers’ cricket.