It was a beautiful sun kissed morning at Balestier Road’s most picturesque venue. The Ceylon Sports Club was a hub of activity as warriors from sixteen teams hailing from all corners of the Island adorned the playing field dressed in their respective colours instead of the customary whites, added flavour and hinted of things to follow. The ever-active CSC’s very own Mr. Sivamani (Hon. Chairman Board of Games) was martialling the troops to get the final preparations in place for what would be a cracking day of cricket. The CSC Cricket Sixes proudly supported by Emerio and Bank of India was finally set to give Singapore’s cricket lovers a day worth remembering for years to come.

The CSC Sixes got off to an exciting start with JP Morgan Cricket Club taking on RN Sixes under the careful guidance and navigation of our pillars of strength Mr. Sam (Father cricket), Mr. Tripathi (The General/Skip) and the Godfather himself (CBOG) Mr. Sivamani. Our friendly neighbours IA rendered great support to add life to the tournament in more than one way.

Sixteen teams fought it out in four groups aiming to reach the semi finals with a view of advancing to the finals and finally to claim the coveted CSC Super Sixes title. It was a mixture of fierce competition, socializing and enthralling cricket. The rules ensured that strategic cricket was played and guaranteed full participation by all players. Group A, B and C saw the Misfits Cricket Club, Emerio Cricket Club and Kalang Colts Cricket clubs who were the favorites in their respective groups go through with out any upsets.

Group D was where the upsets, the rivalry and the boundaries of the game were tested. Eagles Cricket Club (ECC) lead by the dynamic Praba (CSC’s very own) drew first blood by delivering a painful blow below the belt to the defending IA Sixes Champions Voltron Cricket Club (VCC). The winning runs came off the blade of Mohommed Altaf, CSC’s up and shining young star all rounder in the last ball of the match. ECC required four runs to win off the last ball and Altaf sent the experienced Munish deep in to the wetlands over the fencing for a Six run Grand Slam Hit. The champions were left pulling whatever hair they had left off their heads while the ECC youngsters bathed in glory. The other two teams in Group D Police Cricket Club (PCC) and MDIS Cricket Club (MDI) had both suffered defeats at the hands of VCC and ECC. Both MDIS and PCC while providing stiff opposition lost to far superior opponents.

By this time the delicious buffet at CSC and the aromatic curries signaled lunch being served. The food was as colorful and tasteful as the cricket being played on the field. Three of the four semifinal spots were already filled by the favourites, which included Emerio Cricket Club (EMI) lead by CSC’s big-hearted Skipper Maneesh Tripathi, Misfits Cricket Club (MIS) backed by the omnipotent Mr. Giri and Kallang Colts Cricket Club lead by the dynamite right-hander Chetan Suryawanshi.

The advancer from Group D would be either VCC or ECC depending on the outcome of the match between ECC and the minnows MDIS. The game began with ECC requiring 82 runs to reach the semifinal. The eventful match began with an over from MDIS’s passionate captain Chamal De Silva which yielded 13 runs and got the IA backed Voltron team on the edge of their seats. The ECC batsmen launched an assault on the inexperienced bowlers, which followed; bringing them up to 76 and within striking distance of the semifinal. VCC’s IA backed orchestra had one too many heart stopping moments and decided to sing their own rendition of WET WET WET’s hit song “love is in the air”. Lead by their lead vocalist and captain Nanthakumar the VCC band sang a few more tunes including their own remix of “blood is on the dance floor” by Michael Jackson; only this time to receive a rebuttal song from MDIS’s speedster; the usually quiet and soft spoken Dinekar Dodiapanenni, which sounded something like Michel Bolton’s “Said I loved you but I lied”. The turbulence settled and a run-out cost the ECC team their spot in the semifinals.

After the dust had settled the Kalang Colts enjoyed their gentle “walk”, “over” to the pictures CSC ground where the well oiled sixes machine of Emerio Lead by the Astute Maneesh Tripathi was preparing to take on the dangerous Misfits of Mr. Giri. Emerio put 47 runs on the board on the back of a rock solid performance by the experienced warrior Mohan and the ever-consistent Maneesh Tripathi (Skipper and General). Satyam, Rohan, Sagar and Pranam all chipped in with valuable contributions. The Misfits under the close watch of Mr. Giri were clinical in their approach and bought them within 11 runs of the target to be picked off in 10 legal deliveries. That was as close as the Misfits got to the Emerio total. Vintage Skip (Maneesh) astutely gathered the troops and fired them up to grab a quick wicket through the ever persevering Satyam (Babs) and a beauty of a catch by Mohan running a good twenty yards to his right and judging the sky rocket to perfectly secure the catch and seal victory for Emerio, which saw them proceed to the final where Kalang Colts waited anxiously.

While the men prepared to fight the last battle the youngsters of St. Andrews College and the Under 11 cricketers of CSC took to the ground to play the sixes game which drew the attention and admiration of all gathered. The CSC Under 11’s played like true champions and secured the honours demonstrating the reserves for the future and displaying the passion for cricket at CSC.

The grand event of the day had finally arrived and Emerio and Kalang Colts posed for pictures with the Hon. Dr. Theyvendran, PBM, (President of Ceylon sports Club) and other distinguished guests who had graced the occasion with their presence. Emerio won the toss and elected to bat scoring 50 runs. Mohan and Rohan the openers gave Emerio the perfect start and the desired momentum. Satyam and Pranam continued in the same vain and passed the baton on to Skip (Maneesh) and the stylish Sagar. Skip was in top gear and surgically took apart the Kalang bowling with smart cricket shots. Kalang Colts took to the field led by the axe wielding Manbeer Singh. The opening pair and the second pair set up a thrilling finish by bringing Kalang Colts with in 17 runs with the dangerous Chetan Suryawanshi yet to walk out to take strike. When Chetan stepped out there was a sense of excitement even in the most stubborn CSC supporter’s heart. Skip (Maneesh) displayed fantastic cricketing sense and brought on Satyam (Babs) who he had held back to greet his old friend. Chetan and Babs didn’t forget to exchange belated Hari Raya greetings before Babs (Satyam) had the last laugh by dismissing Chetan to a ripper of a catch by Maneesh (Skip) in the deep including a full forward summersault with half pike that would have scored a 9.5 at the Olympic diving event. Skip (Maneesh) also featured in a smart piece of fielding which lead to a run out that put the nails in Kalang’s coffin thick and fast. Finally Maneesh (Skip) stepped up to the plate to bowl a final over which only cost two runs and sealed the match for the Emerio Cricket Club elating the CSC fan club.

Distinguished guests from the sponsors; Bank of India, Emerio and the Hon. Dr. Theyvendran, PBM, (President of Ceylon sports Club) gave away the mementoes and the CSC Super Sixes Trophy. The distinguished guests addressed the crowed and expressed their sincerely commendations to CSC and the organizing committee for organizing a fantastic event which would set the standard for cricketing events in Singapore and pledged their support for future events. Dr. Theyvendran’s wisdom was sharp and lucid like a Samurai sword and he called for more such events to be organized and for the spirit of the game to be focused on and stressed the importance of playing the game as the gentleman’s game.

The weather Gods were kind and the beautiful sun set and the beginning of the music in the background brought to an end a memorable day for the CSC family who organized an entertaining and highly enjoyable day of cricket which met and exceeded all expectations.