A counter-attacking knock from Kingswood opening batsman Hashika Gamage of 87, helped the Randles Hill boys hold off defeat as the 113th Battle of the Maroons ended in a draw at the Pallekale International Stadium on Saturday.
Day two resumed with 125 on the board for Dharmaraja College, for the loss of 2 wickets, with Sachintha Senanayake unbeaten on 71. Though looking comfortable at the end of day 1, day 2 did not begin well for the Rajans.
Senanayake flicked one to midwicket where Harshana Wickramasinghe caught a sharp catch diving to his left as the 1st wicket of the day fell.
Wickets tumbled one after the other as the runs dried out for the Rajans. However, at lunch Dharmaraja College were on 212 for 7 securing a lead of 70 runs.
After the break, both Danuka Manasinghe and Virajith Ehalapola showed intent and accelerated the run-rate.
After some quick runs and with the fall of Virajith, came the declaration from the Rajan camp after they had managed a lead of 104 runs. Lakmal De Silva was the pick of the bowlers for Kingswood College with 4 wickets.
Skipper Sachintha puts Rajans in control
After electing to bowl first, Dharmaraja College cleaned up arch rivals Kingswood College for just 142 runs…
The response from the Randles Hill boys started just how the Rajans would have wanted as they struck twice in back to back overs to put Kingswood in trouble at 35 for 2. Hashika Gamage and Harshana Wickramasinghe had a big task ahead of them to see off the day, with victory out of their reach.
Their first target was to see off the session which they did successfully, as they went into tea at 88 for 2, still 16 runs behind.
The match was not yet saved for the Randles Hill boys as a session remained, with the Rajans looking to dismiss them as soon as possible. However, both Hashika and Harshana batted with utmost ease and more than anything their intent was commendable.
Photos: Dharmaraja College vs Kingswood College – 113th Battle of the Maroons – Day 2
They batted so long that and it came to a point where both were going for personal milestones. Unfortunately, Hashika fell short of a deserving century when he found the long off fielder trying to clear the fence. Harshana also got his chance to reach a half-century but, he fell short by 6 runs.
With the fall of Harshana, the teams decided to call off the play, with no result possible. The TB Tennakoon trophy will remain in the hands of Dharmaraja College for another year.
Brief Scores
Kingswood College, Kandy 142 (50.3) Venuka Pushpapitiya 30, Hashika Gamage 21, Harshana Wickramasinge 21, Thushan Herath 3/24, Yasith Samararathna 3/27, Upendra Warnakulasooriya 3/44 & 181/4 (56.5) Hasika Gamage 87, Harshana Wickramasinghe 44, Upendra Warnakulasuriya 2/58
Dharmaraja College, Kandy 246/8 d (78.5) Sachintha Senanayaka 77, Dulaj Bandara 37, Virajitha Ehalepola 40, Dhanuka Marasinghe 32*, Deegayu Bandara 3/65, Lakmal de Silva 4/72
- Best fielder: Harshana Wickramasinghe (Kingswood College)
- Best Bowler: Upendra Warnakulasuriya (Dharmaraja College)
- Best Batsmen: Sachintha Senanayake (Dharmaraja College)
- Man of the Match: Hashika Gamage (Kingswood College)
