Cinnamon Grand restates its reign as champions of ‘Battle of the Spices’

Wednesday, 25 June 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

It was an exuberant Cinnamon Grand team that took home the Chairman’s Trophy for the second consecutive year at the limited over, annual ‘Battle of the Spices’ cricket encounter between the city’s most popular hotels – Cinnamon Grand and Cinnamon Lakeside. Leaving aside their hotel wear, the associates of both hotels got their cricket gear on, on Saturday (21) and celebrated their prowess on the field by locking horns over the popular gentleman’s game that all Sri Lankans love and adore.

Cinnamon grand emerged victorious, sealing their win by eight wickets, scoring 127 runs for the loss of two wickets; while Cinnamon Lakeside stumbled to 126 all out in 34 overs. The win saw the team’s supports invade the pitch in celebratory cheer despite the sweltering heat led by Cinnamon Grand General Manager Rohan Karr. Cinnamon Grand won the toss, which was brought down in style by a gliding paramotor instructor from Sky Club Sri Lanka, and elected to field. Adding to the triumph, Cinnamon Grand’s Dimutha Fernando from housekeeping was bestowed the title of ‘man of the match’ while also taking home the title ‘best batsman.’ Sasindu Madusanka from Grand’s F&B Banquets was deemed ‘best bowler’ at the match. This was the tenth encounter between the two hotels. Within the past ten years, Cinnamon Grand has won the match for six years. However, given the event’s importance of showcasing the talent of associates in the two properties and the camaraderie that ensue JKH, JKH Chairman Susantha Ratnayake last year donated the Chairman’s Trophy. This made Cinnamon Grand the inaugural champions of the Chairman’s Trophy at the ‘Battle of the Spices’. Ratnayake also offered a very generous cash prize for the winning team.

The party got off to a thrilling start early Saturday morning, with a colourful motorbike parade starting from Cinnamon Grand steering all enthusiastic Cinnamon Grand associates to the Colts Grounds, where the match has been pre-orchestrated. Leading the way was Director of Rooms Division Chris Quyn with Cinnamon Grand General Manager Rohan Karr at the back. Supervised by a police escort, a convoy of cars followed the motor bikes, with purple and orange flags flying high. Keeping to the jolly mood of the Grand associates, at the ground, a colourful stall brimmed-full with food and drinks stood to welcome all enthusiastic participants. Upholding the true cricketing spirit, a paparé band provided the music alongside a DJ, with the heady beats only disrupted by hearty cheers from the crowd.

At the concluding ceremony, Cinnamon Lakeside General Manager Denis Gruhier who will leave his post shortly was presented with a plaque by Cinnamon Grand team, appreciating his sportsmanship during his tenure. As Cinnamon Grand General Manager Rohan Karr said: “The Frenchman (certainly) danced to the cricket music at the end.”