The 7th Battle of the Golden Lions between Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya and Rahula College, Matara ended in tame draw at Uyanwatte grounds today.
Dharmapala College won the toss and elected to bat first. A splendid bowling performance from Sasith Manuranga cleaned up the boys from Pannipitiya for 130. Sasith bagged 6 for 25 while the rest of the wickets were taken by Sajitha Rajapaksha. It was the partnership between Malith Sandakelum and Amila Dayanaka which got Dharmapala over the 100-run mark while the rest of the batters fell away in quick succession.
In reply, Rahula College looked good early on, Binara Sanketh and Sahan Bandara scored half centuries each to take them over the first innings total of their arch rivals. But a late comeback from the bowling unit of Dharmapala led by Chamidu Samarasinghe, bundled out the lads from down south for just 181 runs. Chamidu picked up 8 wickets in the innings to become the best bowler of the encounter.
With a 51 run deficit against them, Dharmapala College came out to bat for their second innings. They put together a much better performance with a splendid 96 by Amila Dayanayaka leading the way. Unfortunately, he fell 4 runs short of the magical three figures, but he was successful in taking his team ito a safe position after conceding a 1st innings lead. They declared their innings at 144 for 5.
With a target of 93 runs to get in 10 overs, Rahula College came to bat in the dying moments of the game. They showed no intention of chasing down the runs and at the end of Day 2, they were 21 for 1 in their second innings.
Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya 130 (41.4) Malith Sandakelum 44, Amila Dayanaka 21, Sasith Manuranga 6/25, Sajitha Rajapaksha 4/36 & 144/5d (54.3) Amila Dayanaka 96, Sajitha Rajapaksha 2/46, Sasith Manuranga 2/52
Rahula College, Matara 181 (82.3) Binara Sanketh 55, Sahan Bandara 53, Yuraj Chalaka 43, Chamindu Samarasinghe 8/57, Dilshan de Silva 2/70 & 21/1 (9) Binara Sanketh 12*. Chamindu Samarasinghe 1/05
