All-round Nipun Sumanasinghe guides Joes into final

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Nipun Sumanasinghe

Joes inch closer towards final berth on rain hit day

The second semi-final of the Singer Schools U19 Division 1 Tournament began at the

The second semi-final of the Singer Schools U19 Division 1 tournament ended at the St. Peter’s College ground in Bambalapitiya on Sunday, 8th April when St. Jospeh’s College beat Mahanama College on first innings to qualify for the final.

Mahanama resuming day two on 126/6 went on to make 172 all-out with skipper Jehan Daniel capturing four wickets for St. Joseph’s. Spinners Dunith Wellalage and Nipun Sumanasinghe were also impressive with the ball for Joes picking up three wickets apiece.

The Josephians stuttered in a tricky run chase but their vice captain Nipun Sumanasinghe who was outstanding with the ball earlier in the game, held one end up to guided St. Joseph’s towards a much deserved first innings win and a place in the final.

The left handed Sumanasinghe made 69 and Dineth Jayakody made a fluent 40 while Lakshan Gamage took care of the finishing touches with an unbeaten 23* to take the Josephians home as they closed the day on 184/8.

St. Joseph’s will now meet Trinity College in the final of the tournament which will be played within a few days.

Mahanama College, Colombo172 (60.4)Pawantha Weerasinghe 39, Sonal Gamage 32, Dinuka Ribasinghe 28, Jehan Daniel 4/55, Dunith Wellalage 3/27, Nipun Sumanasinghe 3/21 
vs  

St. Josephs College, Colombo184/8 (50)Nipun Sumanasinghe 69, Dineth Jayakody 40, Lakshan Gamage 23*, Sonal Gamage 2/38, Hashan Sandeepa 2/47

Result – St. Joseph’s College won on 1st innings and qualified for the final